Nipah Virus: Immediate action and safety measures in Kerala
About the Nipah virus outbreak
The first case of virus was reported in Malaysia in 1998 and since then the virus has also been seen in India and some other countries. This virus can spread from bats and pigs to humans.
Nipah virus in Kerala: immediate action measures
After two people died of the Nipah virus in Kerala, the Nipah virus in Kozhikode district, the state government took swift action and made wearing masks mandatory in hospitals and also put up no-entry sign boards outside isolation wards.
An alert has been issued in Kozhikode, Kannur, Wayanad, and Malappuram districts of Kerala and 7 gram panchayats have been declared containment zones. Wearing masks has been made mandatory in these areas and hospitals.
The Kozhikode district officer has ordered all educational institutes, Anganwadi centers, banks, and government institutions to remain closed. Shops can sell only medicines and essential items from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Nipah virus symptoms and treatment
Patients infected with the Nipah virus symptoms like viral fever, headache, vomiting, difficulty in breathing, and dizziness. As a result of these symptoms, if a person encounters these symptoms, they should immediately contact a doctor.
The Health Minister has directed to continue the work of contact tracing in the area and has assured the availability of monoclonal antibodies for the treatment of patients in private hospitals of the state.
The Chief Minister of Kerala has also expressed the government’s resolve to deal with Nipah with strictness. They were told that those who came in contact with the dead bodies. They were traced and an alert has been issued in Kozhikode.
So far, 4 cases have been reported in Kerala due to virus, out of which two people have died. The state government told the Assembly that a team of the National Institute of Virology (NIV) from Pune will come to Kerala to investigate the virus and the NIV team at Kozhikode Medical College will also conduct a survey of bats.
If you have symptoms of the Nipah virus, please seek prompt medical advice and stay safe.