Exactly a year after the outbreak of the dreaded Nipah fever, the health authorities in Kerala are on guard against its likely recurrence.
Kerala Health Minister K.K. Shailaja stated that a youth who has been admitted to a private hospital in Kochi with fever is likely infected with Nipah virus. Her statement came amidst rumours about a Nipah virus case in the city.
Some of the symptoms have been confirmed, she said, adding, test results of his samples was expected on Monday. Those who have symptoms of the disease should seek treatment immediately, the minister cautioned.
The minister sought to allay fears of the people saying they are unwarranted. "Doctors from Kozhikode medical college, who are experienced in treating patients affected with Nipah virus, will reach Kochi. We will also seek the advice of former health secretary Rajeev Sadanandan," she said.
The minister said medicines brought from Australia are available in the National Virology Institute. Kerala can avail them if infection is confirmed, she said.
Isolation wards have been opened in Kochi, Kalamassery, Kozhikode and Thrissur medical colleges.
Meanwhile, the health department convened an emergency meeting in Thrissur following reports that the patient had stayed there. Six people in Thrissur district are also under observation for Nipah symptoms.
READ: Nipah: Prevention, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment
However, Thrissur district medical officer (DMO) confirmed that the youth did not contract the disease from the district. She told media that the youth had stayed in Thrissur for four days along with 22 people. The health department examined the details of all of them and none of them had any symptoms, the DMO said.
The youth is a student of a private college in Thodupuzha in Idukki district. He was staying at a rented house in Thodupuzha along with four others. He had sought treatment from a local hospital after he caught fever.
The hospital referred him to an advanced hospital in Thrissur. The college where he studies is also under observation, Idukki District Medical Officer Dr N. Priya said.
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Rejecting social media reports about confirmation of a Nipah virus case in Ernakulam district as 'baseless', officials had on Sunday asked all to keep away from spreading panic among the people.
In a statement, Ernakulam District Collector K. Mohammed Y Safirulla said usual medical examinations were carried out on patients coming with the symptoms of Nipah virus.
Some social media reports, which had said that Nipah virus had been confirmed on a patient admitted to a hospital in Ernakulam, was baseless, he said. There was no need for any concern, he added.
If the disease is confirmed, that would be officially informed to the public and necessary precautions will be taken to control its spread, the collector said. He appealed to all to keep away from spreading panic among the people.
Last year, Nipah virus had claimed 17 lives in Kerala—14 in Kozhikode and three in neighbouring Malappuram.
—The article was first published on Onmanorama