On Friday, a new Nipah virus case was identified in Kerala's Kozhikode, bringing the total number of infections to six, with two fatalities. Kerala is dealing with a resurgence of Nipah cases, a brain-damaging virus that spreads by contact with infected bats, pigs, or humans. The virus was discovered for the first time in 2018.
Given the circumstances, the state government is on high alert, testing anyone on an infectious individual's high-risk contact list. The Kerala Health Department stated that it has identified 1,080 people on the contact list of the positive patients and has begun collecting samples.
Meanwhile, as the government works to curb the virus's spread, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) stated Friday that it would obtain 20 more doses of monoclonal antibody from Australia for its treatment.