The health authorities in Ernakulam have stepped up surveillance after five more children sought medical treatment for suspected cases of viral meningitis.

With this, a total of nine children have sought treatment for symptoms of viral meningitis in the district over the past two weeks. The samples of the first batch of five students from a private school at Kalamassery, who were admitted to private hospitals last week after showing symptoms, were sent to the National Institute of Virology’s Alappuzha unit and have tested positive, according to the health authorities.

The tests revealed the presence of enteroviruses in the samples, which are usually transmitted through contact with secretions from an infected person. Among the new suspected cases reported as of Monday (March 14, 2025), the health authorities pointed out that they included the siblings of children who had sought treatment in private hospitals.

“We have asked the hospitals to keep us updated on cases presenting with suspected symptoms of viral meningitis as part of the control measures initiated. The management of St. Paul’s International School at Kalamassery, which reported five cases, has been instructed to suspend academic sessions until March 25,” they said.

The symptoms observed in the suspected cases include fever, headache, vomiting, and irritability. Besides representatives from the Health department, experts from the National Institute of Virology, Alappuzha, were in Kochi on Monday to assess the situation.