KOZHIKODE: The genome sequencing of Nipah virus samples taken from infected persons in the current outbreak revealed that the virus has not undergone genetic mutations compared to the samples tested during the earlier outbreaks in Kerala. After a review meeting on Tuesday afternoon, health minister Veena George said that the virus samples taken from Nipah persons in the current outbreak were similar to viruses found in humans in the earlier outbreaks of 2018, 2019 and 2021 in the genetic sequencing tests conducted at National Institute of Virology, Pune."The sequences were found to be 99.7% similar in tests, while in some tests they were 100% similar. They (ICMR-NIV, Pune) informed us that there is no mutation in the virus," she said. George also said that genetic sequencing of samples collected from humans as well as bats were conducted in 2018, 2019 and 2021 and they were found to be similar then. She said that studies on whether there were changes in clinical presentations of patients during the current outbreak will be held later.Meanwhile, 36 bat samples collected from an area near the epicentre tested negative for the virus. "The samples were collected from a small area including a banana farm of the index patients and the samples were negative. Experts are collecting samples from other areas and the same will be tested," she said.George said no new cases were reported for the fourth consecutive day with 49 samples testing negative on Tuesday. Meanwhile, 281 persons, who were in the contact list of the index case Mohammedali, completed their period of isolation. The results of 36 samples are awaited, including that of two symptomatic health workers who were contacts of the last person who tested positive on September 15.At present, there are 1,289 persons in the contact list with 16 new contacts traced on Tuesday and 11 persons are placed in isolation. Of the four patients, the condition of three were stable and the condition of the nine-year-old child is improving. Health workers visited 5,453 houses on Tuesday taking the total number of houses visited for surveillance to 52,667.George said that samples from dead wild boars found in affected areas were also sent for testing while central teams said there was nothing unusual in their deaths. George reiterated that both low-risk and high- risk contacts of Nipah patients should remain in isolation for 21 days even if they test negative as symptoms can appear and a person can get infection anytime during the 21-day period. Also, a decision was taken to continue restrictions in containment zones in seven wards of Kozhikode corporation and Feroke municipality.PWD minister PA Mohamed Riyas said though Nipah fears were receding, people should not be overconfident and continue their vigil. He said that 1.5 lakh students in Kozhikode have joined online classes using the G-Suite platform developed by KITE.

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