In Kerala, one more person, a health worker of a private hospital in Kozhikode has been infected with the Nipah virus. 13 persons have been kept under observation at the Kozhikode Government Medical College Hospital, where 75 isolation beds have been earmarked to treat Nipah patients. Two more panchayats in the district have been declared containment zones, taking the total to nine. The number of persons who came into contact with those infected by the virus has risen to 789 in Kozhikode, of which more than 150 are health workers. In neighbouring Malappuram district, three persons including two health workers were put on observation after they reported high fever.
Akashvani Kochi Correspondent report: The Health Department officials conducted a survey in over 300 houses at Maruthomkara and Ayancherry panchayats, considered the epicentre of Nipah virus in Kozhikode. Samples of fruits generally consumed by bats were collected from these areas. As part of the precautionary steps taken to curb the spread of the virus, the district authorities have declared holiday today and tomorrow for all educational institutions in the district. They have issued directions to stop all public functions for the next ten days and drastically limit public participation in all private and religious ceremonies. Meanwhile, two teams dispatched by the centre to assist the state government to tackle the Nipah infection, is expected to reach Kozhikode today.
In Kerala, a central team comprising experts drawn from different fields reached Kozhikode to assist the state government to tackle Nipah virus infections. The team consists of Dr Mala Chchabra, Senior Consultant Microbiologist, Atal Behari Vajpayee Institute of Medical Sciences, Dr Himanshu Chauhan, Joint Director, Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme, National Centre for Diesease Control, Dr Meera Duria, Joint Director, National Centre for Disease Control, and Dr Ajay Asrana, Neurology Professor, National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences among others.
The team members held preliminary discussions with the Kozhikode District Collector, A Geetha.
The central team will work in tandem with officials of the Animal Husbandry Department and report to the state government on a daily basis.
