Two more persons succumbed to the deadly Nipah virus in Kerala, taking the death toll to 16 even as another person was tested positive in Kozhikode, a health official said.

Madusudhanan, 56, and Akihil Karasserry, 28, died in Kozhikode Medical College Hospital on Wednesday night.

Initially, both showed some symptoms of recovery, but later their condition deteriorated, the official said, adding that both might have contracted the infection from the hospital.

Another person admitted in the hospital was also tested positive, raising fresh concerns about the viral outbreak.

Now three infected and nine others with symptoms are in the hospital.