Nipah virus spreading in Kerala, 425 people kept under surveillance; Health Minister held a high level meeting
In Kerala, 425 people are under surveillance due to the outbreak of Nipah virus, including 228 people from Malappuram. Health Minister Veena George has confirmed this. Prevention measures have been initiated in affected areas. Fieldwork continues in Malappuram. Health department officials have launched awareness campaign from door to door.
The Nipah virus has wreaked havoc in Kerala. Due to this, 425 people have been monitored. This was confirmed by state health minister Veena George. He mentioned that the highest number of 228people have been under watch in Malappuram district and 87people in Kozhikode. The test of the individual has gone negative.
Comprehensive monitoring and prevention measures have been initiated in the affected areas. Fieldwork has started to detect this outbreak in Malappuram and prevent further spreading. Monitoring operations have been carried out in 20 wards of the Panchayats of Makkaramba, Kuruva, Kobtilangdi, and Mankada. A total of 65 teams went door-to-door awareness campaign and visited 1655 houses.
The team was led by Dr. NN Pamila and supported by CK Suresh Kumar, M. Shahul Hameed, and Dr. Kiran Raj. The team has submitted a detailed report to District Medical Officer Dr. Renuka. In Palakkad, a man is kept in isolation, while 61 health workers were identified as close contacts.
A high-level review meeting was held under the chairmanship of Health Minister Veena George. Apart from the Health Department, along with the Health Department, senior officials, including the Chief Secretary, Director of NHM State Mission, Director of Medical Education, Additional Directors, District Collector, District Medical Officer, Police Officer, and representatives of different departments, participated.
Nipah Virus (NIV) is a very deadly zoonotic virus that spreads from animals to humans. It causes encephalitis (inflammation of the brain), shortness of breathing, and death in many cases. The virus was first identified in Malaysia in 1999 and has spread to South as well as Southeast Asia.
