Kerala Nipah Outbreak
Health Squads Raised, Surveillance Expanded
Nipah Virus has taken a dangerous step. At the start of last week, there was a relative calm in the corridors of the state’s health department. The number of deaths resulting from the outbreak of the Nipah virus infection had stabilised at 13, with two others undergoing treatment at the Kozhikode Medical College showing signs of recovery.
The Kerala Health Minister K K Shailaja has called for a special meeting on Saturday after another death, suspected to be caused by the deadly Nipah virus, was reported in Kozhikode district of Kerala. The latest victim is a 39-year-old woman from Thalasseri who was undergoing treatment at the Kozhikode Medical College. Initial tests had not shown Nipah virus in the woman.
More than 150 suspected blood samples sent to test and there were no new positive cases found. Health officials and doctors had given relief that the Nipah fear was over. But Nipah virus came in light again when two more people have died in Kozhikode and near the Mallapuram district in the last two days.
More than 2,000 people are under medical observation in Kerala’s Malabar region, uncertain whether they have been infected with the disease. Individuals who had any contact with infected persons have been included in the list.
The state’s director of health services, RL Saritha, said on Monday that there had been no new cases reported since June 1. Union Health Minister J P Nadda said, “The situation in Kerela is under control and Centre is extending constant support to state health minister. Speaking on the sidelines of the 71st World Health Assembly in Geneva, Nadda said, “Within five hours of the first report, we activated the protocol. We had sent teams from Indian Council of Medical Research, National Centre for Disease Control, All India Institute of Medical Sciences doctors, and Ram Manohar Lohiya hospital.”
“Every unnatural death needs to be investigated. We were able to make early diagnosis and early detection, but it is true that the surveillance and measures to contain the infection especially at the Medical College should have been strengthened,” an official admitted.
