Samples of crows test negative for West Nile virus

MALAPPURAM: Giving a major sigh of relief to health authorities, the result of samples of crows collected from different parts of Malappuram tested negative for West Nile virus . But the source of the viral infection still remaining unknown is a major concern.

The result, collected from Thennala adjacent to AR Nagar panchayat where a 6-year-old boy died of West Nile Fever (WNF) last week, was received on Monday.

As birds are natural hosts of the dreadful virus, the animal husbandry authorities had collected samples of three dead crows and a live crow from the region.

Brain, liver and heart samples of three dead crows were sent to the state unit of National Institute of Virology (NIV), Alappuzha , last Wednesday.

The result of samples of a live crow sent to National Research Centre at Hisar in Haryana is expected to receive in the coming days.

A special medical team of state Vector Control Research Centre (VCRC) also collected samples of Culex mosquitoes, carriers of the virus, from AR Nagar and Venniyur regions. It is learned that the virological investigation of mosquito samples also tested negative. But the medical authorities in Malappuram are yet to receive official report regarding this.

Chief veterinary officer of Malappuram, Dr Baby Joseph said the negative result showed that the chances of the disease spreading through birds in the region were very less. But, he added that tracing the real source of the viral infection would be the next big task before the authorities.

“As there is no presence of virus in birds, we have to find out the real source of the virus to prevent further infection in future,” he said adding that the chances for transmission of virus from a person who had arrived from abroad could not be ruled out.

“The investigations at the research centre in Haryana can isolate virus. So we are waiting for the result,” he added.

After the confirmation of the virus infection in the boy on March 8, a central team had visited Malappuram and reviewed situation.

The health ministry, along with officials from the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), had reviewed the state’s preparedness and action taken last week.