Authorities in Hyderabad on Friday said that there was nothing to worry about the two suspected cases of Nipah virus reported from the city, as the samples of the patients tested negative.
Two persons, including one who visited Kerala recently, were admitted to hospitals in Hyderabad with suspected Nipah virus infection and their samples were sent to the National Institute of Virology (NIV) in Pune.
Telangana Director of Medical Education Dr K Ramesh Reddy had earlier said that there was no need to panic and that the samples were taken just to be safe.
Even though both samples have tested negative, Telangana health authorities have advised people to avoid visiting Kerala.
K. Shankar, director, Institute of Preventive Medicine (IPM) said on Friday that people should postpone their plans to visit Kerala in view of the situation here. He said people should avoid visiting affected areas.
Officials of Medical and Health Department also said that they were advising people not to visit Kerala at least till the situation comes under control.
The authorities are conducting campaigns in residential colonies to create awareness among people about Nipah virus and also to advise them against visiting Kerala.
They were also screening people at airport, railway and bus stations for suspected symptoms of the dreaded virus.
Telangana DME Dr K Ramesh Reddy on Thursday said samples of two persons were sent to National Institute of Virology (NIV), Pune. One of them returned from Kerala with suspected symptoms and he had been isolated at IPM.
Though the 25-year-old man did not visit the area which is affected by the virus, the authorities did not take any chances and sent his samples along that of another man, who is admitted to Nizam's Institute of Medical Sciences (NIMS) with rncephalitis.
The authorities have advised people to take all precautions. Ramesh Reddy said people should avoid eating cut fruits. The fruits and vegetables should be washed properly before using them. People were also advised to avoid pork as pigs are also suspected to be carriers of the virus.
IANS inputs