Kerala is on high alert after the preliminary test of a 43-year-old man for Nipah virus infection at the Government Medical College here returned positive, officials said on Thursday. Officials said samples have been sent to the National Institute of Virology (NIV) in Pune for confirmation, and the results are expected shortly. The Health Department has initiated measures to trace and isolate those who came into contact with the patient, a businessman from Feroke. According to health officials, the man, who was initially admitted to a private hospital, was shifted to the Government Medical College on Wednesday and is on ventilator support. Nipah virus is spread by fruit bats, and Kerala has reported multiple outbreaks since 2018. Health Minister K Muraleedharan told reporters late on Wednesday night that directions had been issued to health officials in Kozhikode to remain vigilant. “The NIV result is awaited for final confirmation. Based on the symptoms and preliminary test, it points to Nipah,” he said. Muraleedharan said the patient had come into contact with a large number of people. …