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Kerala faces a renewed Nipah virus scare as a 57-year-old man from Palakkad becomes the second fatality this month. Health authorities have identified 46 close contacts and are using CCTV footage and mobile data for contact tracing. The government has issued a health advisory urging people to avoid unnecessary hospital visits. Six districts are on high alert, with masks made compulsory in containment zones. The virus has appeared in new districts like Palakkad, raising concerns. The outbreak has occurred consistently in the last three years, with a high fatality rate compared to COVID-19.
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Time of India
8 hours ago
- Time of India
Son of Nipah victim tests positive in Pkd
Palakkad: The son of the man, who died due to Nipah infection at Changaleeri in Palakkad, also turned positive, in the initial tests at Manjeri medical college, on Wednesday. The 32-year-old son was in close contact with his father during his hospitalisation. One patient from Thachannattukara is undergoing treatment at Kozhikode medical college, while a resident of Kumaramputhur passed away. Additionally, a sample from a patient with suspicious symptoms was sent for testing. Presently, seven people are in isolation at Palakkad govt medical college. A total of 385 people are on the contact list in the district. Of them, 178 are from Thachanattukara and 207 from Kumaramputhur. As part of Nipah prevention efforts, health workers conducted house visits and completed a fever survey in 1,568 homes on Wednesday. District mental health department provided counselling services to 51 people over the phone and the control cell received 42 calls related to Nipah virus spread. Meanwhile, the district medical officer (DMO) has directed that only after seeking expert advice by calling the Nipah control room should one proceed to Palakkad govt medical college for Nipah testing. To implement strict measures in containment zones, an online inter-departmental coordination meeting was held under the leadership of Ottapalam sub-collector Mithun Premraj. A team from National Institute of Virology collected samples from 150 bats and sent them to Pune for testing. The district animal observation team and Mannarkkad RRT collected samples from 9 cattle, 7 goats and a dog within 1km of the Nipah outbreak centre in Kumaramputhur, as reported by animal husbandry department. Since containment zone was declared, ration distribution was directly provided to a total of 872 families. Residents in the containment zone wards of Kumaramputhur, Karakurussi, Karimpuzha panchayats and Mannarkkad municipality must wear masks and avoid unnecessary gatherings, health department said. Police informed that strict monitoring and inspections are ongoing to prevent unnecessary entry and exit to and from these wards. Those who had any contact with the Nipah-confirmed deceased person in Kumaramputhur or those who recall being at the specified location at the time, should immediately inform the Nipah control room number. Residents in containment zones requiring non-critical hospital services can consult a doctor online via e-Sanjeevani. General office services are available from 9am to 5pm.
The Hindu
10 hours ago
- The Hindu
One more suspected Nipah case reported in Palakkad
One more suspected Nipah case was reported in the district on Wednesday, prompting health officials to take swift action to prevent the spread of the virus. The State has seen a recent surge in Nipah cases with four infections being reported in less than three weeks from adjoining districts of Palakkad and Malappuram. In the latest case, the son of a 58-year-old man from Kumaramputhur who succumbed to the deadly virus at Moulana Hospital, Perinthalmanna, on Saturday last, was found Nipah positive in the initial test done at Government Medical College Hospital laboratory at Manjeri. Health Minister Veena George said that further tests would be conducted for final confirmation. However, health officials on Wednesday began tracing the people who had contacted the infected person in the last couple of weeks. She said a route map of the infected person was prepared and counter measures were in full swing the prevent the spread of the virus. 'He was on the contact list of the person who died of Nipah and was in isolation. His family tree was also prepared. We will ensure that his family gets utmost psychological support and care,' said Ms. George. The Minister said that 723 people across the State were under observation for Nipah. As many as 51 were identified as contacts of the latest person who tested positive during the initial investigation. While 212 people are in quarantine in Malappuram district, 394 people in Palakkad are under observation, said Ms. George. In Kozhikode, 114 people are in isolation when Ernakulam district has two and Thrissur one in isolation. The Minister said that 10 persons in isolation are under treatment in Malappuram and seven in Palakkad. She said 84 samples tested negative in Malappuram so far. Palakkad district has so far reported three Nipah cases including the suspected one. When one affected person succumbed to the virus, two are currently under treatment. Health workers visited 1,568 houses in Nipah reported area at Kumaramputhur on Wednesday and completed their fever survey. The number calls reaching the Nipah control cell saw an increase on Wednesday. Officials said they got 42 calls, the largest on a single day. The samples of 150 bats collected by a team of scientists from the National Institute of Virology (NIV), Pune, were sent for testing. The district animal husbandry officials too collected animal samples from within a kilometre radius of the Nipah infected person. District Supply Officer said here on Wednesday that direct ration supply was ensured for 872 families within the containment zone. District Collector G. Priyanka warned people in containment zones against crowding and moving out without masks. The Nipah control room can be reached round the clock at 0491 2504002. For counselling, people can reach out to 75109 05080.
The Hindu
10 hours ago
- The Hindu
Science Quiz: On zoonotic diseases
The Nipah virus has once again reared its head in Kerala, and even while the State grapples with infections, other zoonotic diseases (diseases that spread between animals and humans) -- including Mpox and avian influenza -- may have disappeared temporarily from the news, but continue to be of concern in several countries. Time to find out how much you know about zoonoses!
