Thiruvananthapuram: The total number of people infected with the Zika virus in the state has increased to 18, with the Ministry of Health confirm three more cases, including 22-month-old children on Sunday.
The state receives 2,100 testing kits, which has been given to the Government Medical College hospital in Thiruvananthapuram, Thrissur and Kozhikode.
The National Virology Institute (NIV) in Alappuzha has been equipped with testing facilities.
Among the three new cases detected in Thiruvananthapuram, two are patients undergoing treatment at private hospitals while others are employees at the same hospital.
Among 27 samples sent for testing on Saturday, 26 had been tested negatively for viruses.
The Ministry of Health has decided to do extensive testing for the Zika virus throughout the country even though all 18 cases have been reported from Thiruvananthapuram.
The department has issued direction to test all cases suspected and more focused on pregnant women.
The test will be carried out for the Zika virus, along with bloody fever and chinkungunya.
The steps have also been taken to send samples to the National Virology Institute in Pune if more samples are collected.
Usually, blood samples and urine are collected for the testing of the Zika virus.
But NIV, Pune has instructed the government to test the blood samples collected.
At present, there are 27 laboratories that have facilities to conduct RT PCR tests.
Because more kits reach the country in the coming days, this laboratory will be used to test.
Meanwhile, the central team of six members, who have reached state capital, held discussions with health officials.
They also held an online meeting with all the country’s district medical officers.
The team will visit affected areas in Parassala and also the Corporation Corporation area on Monday.