The Health Department has called for caution over the suspicion of Nipah virus infection in two recent deaths in Kozhikode district.
In an advisory issued on Monday evening, the Health Department has said two 'unnatural' deaths were reported in Kozhikode.
Family of deceased in isolation
According to reports, three persons from a family are in isolation at a private hospital in the city. They were related to a native of Maruthonkara, aged 49, who died on August 30.
It is understood that those in isolation, include two children, aged four and nine, and a 25-year-old man, who was the brother-in-law of the deceased.
The condition of one of the child is understood to be serious.
The other fatality was a 40-year-old man, who died at a private hospital on Monday. He was a native of Thiruvallur near Vadakara. Maruthonkara is a panchayat between Perambra and Vadakara.
The samples collected from the deceased and those in isolation have been sent for testing at the National Institute of Virology.
Health Department advisory
"Nipah is suspected," the Health Department said in its advisory.
Health Minister Veena George convened an emergency high-level meeting on the day.
Kerala was rocked by a Nipah virus outbreak in May 2018, which was the first reported in south India. A total of 17 lives were lost in the outbreak in Kozhikode and Malappuram districts.
