Thiruvananthapuram, 6 July (IANS). The Health Department has kept 425 people under supervision after new cases of Nipah virus were reported in Kerala. Health Minister Veena George said that the maximum number of 228 people are under monitoring in Malappuram district, 110 in Palakkad and 87 in Kozhikode.
A person’s test has come negative. The health department is keeping a close watch on the situation and measures for monitoring and prevention in the affected areas have been intensified.
A comprehensive campaign is being carried out to detect the source of the virus and prevent its spread in Malappuram. 65 teams visited 1,655 houses in 20 wards of Makkaramba, Kuruva, Kuttilangdi and Mankada Panchayats. Dr. N.N. This survey was conducted under Pamela, in which C.K. Suresh Kumar, M. Shahul Hameed and epidemic expert Dr. Kiran Raj were also included. The report was submitted to District Medical Officer Dr. Renuka.
In Palakkad, a person is placed in isolation and 61 health workers are in close contact. Here patients are being isolated locally and their samples are being sent for examination. Route maps of reinforced cases have been issued in Malappuram and Palakkad so that people remain alert. All 87 people in Kozhikode are health workers, who came in contact with the virus during the treatment of patients.
The Health Department has prepared ambulance services. Monitoring has been increased in the affected areas and assistance is being provided to those kept under surveillance. Bats are considered to be the source of virus.
A high -level meeting was held under the chairmanship of the Health Minister, in which senior officials of the Health Department, District Collector, Police and other departments attended.
Nipah is a dangerous virus, which spreads to humans through bats or pigs. After its infection, there is difficulty in breathing with swelling in the brain. Since 2018, outbreaks of this virus have been seen in Kerala since 2018, in which 17 people died in 2018.
Symptoms of Nipah include fever, headache, vomiting and fainting. There is no vaccine or special treatment for this. People have been advised to contact a doctor immediately if you do not eat fruits of bats and see the symptoms.
-IANS
MT/AS