Kerala: Results of samples sent to virology institute in Pune awaited to confirm presence of Nipah virus

After two "unnatural deaths" were reported from Kozhikode district, the Kerala government has sent five samples to the National Institute of Virology in Pune to test for the presence of the deadly Nipah virus. A district-wide health alert was issued on Monday after two deaths were reported, suspected to be due to Nipah virus infection.