Thiruvananthapuram: Virologists have identified the bat as a source of the Nipah virus which caused the death of a 12-year-old boy in Chathshikoda in Kozhikode in 5.
Health Minister Veena George while confirming the samples collected by NIV, Pune has confirmed that the bat is a source of viruses.
“Samples of bats are collected from Pazhoor in Chathamangalam Grama Panchayat carrying virus antibodies.
This is confirmed in the test conducted at the National Institute of Virology in Pune.
We can now conclude that the bat is a source of viruses,” said George.
However, he said this was only inference, and more tests must be made to confirm the results.
The results of 50 more samples have not arrived.
At present, it has been identified that antibodies against viruses were found in bats belonging to the genus pteropus collected from Thamarasery and several species belonging to the genus rositus collected from the Kodioytahur region.
Experts from Pune Institute and the National Institute of Bhopal from high security animal diseases have collected a sample of bats from around the victim’s house with the support of the Forestry Department of Wildlife Veterinary.
The incubation period of the Nipah virus is 21 days.
However, there are no new cases during this period.
Therefore it can be said that the situation is under control.
All preventive steps taken have helped control the disease and avoid the possibility of new cases.