The Kerala Health department is learnt to have begun efforts to identify how E. Mohammedali of Maruthonkara in Kozhikode district, the first patient who died of Nipah infection on August 30 in its fourth episode in the State, contracted the virus.
According to sources, Mohammedali started exhibiting symptoms of the infection on August 22. The virus could have entered his body at least five or six days before this. Attempts are being made to trace his travel paths during the period. With the help of the police, the mobile phone tower locations will be identified. A team of health workers will visit all these places to find out the chances of infection.
Local residents have said that Mohammedali had a habit of visiting the backyard of a family property where there are fruit plants and the presence of bats, the natural reservoir of the virus.
