Five more Zika virus cases have been reported in Kerala, two of which are from the Anayara cluster.

Thiruvananthapuram: Amid fears of a Zika virus cluster in the capital city, five more people, including four women, have tested positive for the infection in Kerala, bringing the state’s caseload to 28.

Two of the new cases were from Anayara in Thiruvananthapuram, where a cluster of the disease had been identified within a three-kilometer radius, according to Health Minister Veena George on Thursday.

The other infected people came from East Fort, Kunnukuzhi, and Pattom, she said, and all the samples were tested at the National Virology Institute in Alappuzha.

According to the minister, four samples were sent from a private hospital here, while one was collected by the Health Department as part of surveillance.

Meanwhile, 16 other samples were found to be negative.

“As a result of this, the total number of infections in the state has increased to 28,” the minister added.

The Health Department announced yesterday that a cluster of Zika virus had been identified within a three-kilometer radius of Anayara, and that steps were being taken to exterminate mosquitoes in the area to prevent the virus from spreading to other areas.

They also stated that in the aftermath of the Zika outbreak in the capital city, where all 23 cases were reported, a control room had been established at the district medical office.