2 Kerala Deaths In Kerala Due To Nipah Virus: Union Health Minister Confirms
The first-ever Nipah virus outbreak in south India was reported from Kerala”s Kozhikode and Malappuram districts in 2018.
Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya confirmed that the two deaths in Kerala”s Kozhikode to have been caused by Nipah virus.
After 5 years of the first-ever Nipah virus outbreak in south India was reported from Kozhikode in 2018, the state is now on high alarm as its health department on Monday night issued a fresh health alert in Kozhikode district after two deaths were suspected with the same virus.
“The health department has issued a health alert in the Kozhikode district due to the unusual death due to fever”, said the government of Kerala in an official statement issued on Tuesday.
The alert was issued after two deaths, suspecting Nipah infection, were reported in a private hospital in Kozhikode.
The government also informed that the relatives of the deceased are also under treatment in the intensive care unit.
On Tuesday, the State Health Minister Veena George convened a high level meeting and analysed the situations.
“Prevention and preparedness activities have been started in the district [Kozhikode] and health vigilance is required”, said the minister to reporters after the meeting held at the the Collectorate conference hall in Kozhikode.
“The results of samples which were sent to the Pune Virology Lab after suspecting the Nipah virus will be received by evening [on Tuesday]”, she added.
The government and the health department has taken all the precautionary measures. 16 core committees have been formed to coordinate the activities and a control room started functioning at the district level.
“We have already made a list of contacts of the people who have lost their lives so far. Nipah virus has not been announced officially, we are taking all preventive steps”, the health minister added.
Kozhikode | On suspected Nipah virus case in the state, Kerala Health Minister Veena George says “The results of samples which were sent to the Pune Virology Lab after suspecting the Nipah virus will be received by evening. We have already made a list of contacts of the people… pic.twitter.com/cy3Jd8ZpmW
— ANI (@ANI) September 12, 2023
So far, the state government has prepared the contact list of suspected people and the list includes 75 persons in total, comprised of the hospital staff. The minister also informed the health workers to follow the protocol precautions as per epidemic control in all hospitals. The general public are advised to wear masks, and avoid unnecessary hospital visits.
