Panaji, May 30: A Kerala native, who was quarantined in an isolation ward of a Goa hospital after he developed symptoms similar to those affected by the Nipah virus, has been discharged after his test results proved negative.

"He has been discharged after tests results received from the National Institute of Virology in Pune, tested him negative for Nipah," a state Health Ministry spokesperson said on Wednesday.

The 20-year-old had walked into the Goa Medical College on Monday after deboarding a train originating from Kerala fearing that he had developed Nipah-like symptoms.

NiV is transmitted through direct contact with infected bats, pigs or from other NiV-infected people.

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Mangaluru: After major cities including Bengaluru and Chennai, the LPG shortage crisis has also struck Mangaluru now.

Reports are emerging about the closure of several hotels, canteens and street food outlets in the city.

The shortage is triggered by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, which has been worsening day by day.

According to reports, several hotels, canteens and street food preparation units have been forced to shut down operations in some areas due to the lack of commercial LPG cylinders.

In Dakshina Kannada district, hotels, restaurants and street food stalls have reportedly remained closed for the past two to three days in several locations.

On Saturday as well, hotel owners in many parts of the district, including Mangaluru city, faced difficulties in obtaining commercial gas cylinders.

Some establishments had stocked cylinders in advance and managed to continue operations for a few days.

However some owners said they may have no option but to shut down if the shortage continues.

The impact of the situation has also been felt in the fisheries sector.

Fishermen said that there is strong demand from abroad for fish varieties such as shrimp, anjal, manji and bondas, which are usually exported. However, restrictions on the movement of container ships have affected the fishing industry as well.

Leaders of the hotel owners’ associations in Udupi and Dakshina Kannada districts have urged the authorities to distribute LPG cylinders equally to their sector as well.

They warned that if the supply is not ensured, more hotels may have to shut down.

At present, district administrations have prioritised LPG supply for essential sectors including domestic households, educational institutions, hospitals, hostels, dormitories and religious institutions.

Meanwhile, a few hotels that still use fire wood for cooking have continued their operations.

Meanwhile, timber traders have also said that even firewood is now facing a shortage, as supply is unable to meet the rising demand.