Nipah new update: Kerala strengthens virus monitoring process
Kozhikode : Nipah virus has been a major concern for people across the globe. Concerning the health of people around, the Kerala government has directed the health administration in all districts to screen people who had close contact with even suspected Nipah patients.
Health minister K K Shailaja said that those in contact with Nipah patients should be cautious till the end of the virus’s incubation period and, hence, daily screening of these people has become essential to stop the spread of this dangerous virus. Till now, 16 of the 18 people have been tested positive for Nipah virus and have died in a short span of time. Sources confirmed that the condition of the other two patients is stable.
Health department officials say the Nipah ‘contact list’ has been expanded. As of now, there are 1,949 persons in the list who are regularly being monitored by health workers. In another precautionary measure, all nine staff members at Balussery taluk hospital in Kozhikode district have been given leave. Two people, who died of this brain damaging illness, had undergone treatment at this hospital.
In the meantime, the experimental drug imported from Australia has arrived in the national capital Delhi. “Indian Council for Medical Research (IMCR) has suggested that the service of an expert be availed for mixing and administering of human monoclonal anti-body. A decision in this regard will be taken after discussions,’’ said Dr R L Saritha, director of health services.
On Friday, six more persons in Kozhikode were admitted to hospital with symptoms of Nipah, Saritha said.
In Palakkad, district medical officer Dr K P Reetha said that “four patients are under observation in the isolation ward of the district hospital for Nipah virus” with two of them coming from Nipah virus-affected Kozhikode and Perambra areas.
The Thamarassery diocese, meanwhile, has decided to change the serving of Holy Communion, asking priests to place the wafer in the hands of devotees rather than on their tongues. Thamarassery Bishop Mar Remigiose Inchananiyil in a circular also advised believers to follow the directions of authorities to help prevent the spread of this life-threatening virus.
