PTI, KOZHIKODE/THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The deadly Nipha virus today claimed one more life in Kerala, with a 61-year-old man succumbing to the virus, taking the death toll to 11. The latest victim, V Moosa, was on ventilator support since the past few days.
There are totally 14 nipha confirmed cases, of whom 11 have so far lost their lives. Three people are undergoing treatment in various hospitals. This is the fourth death in Moosa’s family in the last 20 days. Moosa’s sons Mohammed Saliah (28), Mohammed Sadiq (26) and a relative Mariumma had died earlier.
While two of the deaths have been confirmed due to Nipah, the blood samples of one of his sons had not been tested for the virus, sources said. Health officials had also sealed an unused well, believed to be the epicentre of the virus, in the compound of Moosa’s house after it was found to be infested with bats. Nurse Lini Puthussery, who initially treated members of Moosa’s family at Perambra Taluk hospital in the district, had also died after being infected by the virus.
