Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on May 21 said private hospitals in the State were instructed not to deny treatment for anyone suffering from Nipah Virus.

"An expert medical team of the Union Government has arrived on the request of the State Government. Though the virus has been reported only in Kozhikode, a statewide alert has been given to remain vigilant," the Chief Minister said here. A 24-hour control room has been opened to monitor the situation. The people are requested to follow the instructions of the health department to tackle this crisis," he added.

The State Health and Labour Ministers are camping in Kozhikode to ensure coordination of various departments to control the spread of virus and doing everything possible to save the lives of the infected and prevent the advance of virus, he said. National Institute of Virology has confirmed from the studies on blood samples that three out of the four deaths attributed to fever was caused by the virus. The first death was reported on May 19. The Union Health Ministry and World Health organization were contacted on the day itself. The Government is closely monitoring the spread of the Nipah virus.