Hyderabad: One patient is on ventilator, tested negative for Nipah virus

Hyderabad: Two samples sent on Friday from Cure Hospital and NIMS in Hyderabad have tested negative for the Nipah virus that is spread by bats.

“We concluded that he was not affected by the virus but we didn’t want to take a chance and sent the sample for tests,” Dr Ramesh Reddy said. That sample also tested negative.

The patient has been put on ventilator for other medical reasons, and not due to the bat virus, Dr Padmaja said.

Dr Padmaja said all hospitals in the state had been sent notices to submit reports at regular intervals if any patient came in with symptoms of the bat virus

She said the situation had deteriorated in Kerala because many who were taking treatment in the hospital where the first patient was admitted caught the virus. “We have taken precautionary measures to ensure that it doesn’t happen here,” Dr Padmaja said.

Ranga Reddy district medical and health officer Dr Balaji Pawar said there was no need to panic.

“We sent the samples not only to be on the safe side but also to avoid panic and ostracisation. Many nurses and patients in Kerala are facing the same problem as people refuse to get in touch with those who are sick.”