Meeting exposes fissures in district unit of JD(S)

March 25, 2012

Mangalore, March 26: Differences in Dakshina Kannada unit of the Janata Dal (Secular) came to the fore as a leader of the party questioned the absence of “some party leaders” at a meeting of the party here on Sunday.

The labourers' wing in the district unit of the party had convened the meeting to distribute identity cards to labourers attached to the party.

In his introductory remarks, Mohammed Rafi, president, district labourers' wing, said that some leaders in the party wanted only positions.

They did not want to attend meetings of the party. Such leaders believed that they were captains of the party.

Mr. Rafi alleged that some leaders of the Janata Dal (Secular) had suggested to party workers not to attend the meeting convened by him (Mr. Rafi) on the premises of Hotel Woodlands on Sunday and he termed it an anti-party activity.

Top leaders in the district unit should take disciplinary action against those leaders on the grounds of anti-party activity, he demanded

G. Ramiah, president, State labourers' wing of the party, who inaugurated the meeting, said that party workers would have to prepare for the next Assembly election at any time.

The labourers' wing had a presence in 26 districts and the same should be established in the remaining four districts.

He said that when State President of the party and former chief minister H. D. Kumaraswamy visited districts, people turn up for meetings in large numbers. But, these turn out does not translate into votes, he said.

JD(S) Dakshina Kannada unit president M.B. Sadashiva was present.

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No cases yet, but vigilance high: Karnataka braces for Nipah threat

News Network

February 3,2026

Bengaluru: Following reports of fresh Nipah virus (NiV) cases in West Bengal and heightened vigilance across parts of Southeast Asia, the Karnataka Health Department has placed the state on high alert and activated emergency preparedness protocols.

Health officials said enhanced surveillance measures have been initiated after two healthcare workers in Barasat, West Bengal, tested positive for the virus earlier this month. While no cases have been reported in Karnataka so far, authorities said the state’s past exposure to Nipah outbreaks and high inter-state mobility warranted preventive action.

Officials have directed district health teams to intensify monitoring, particularly at hospitals and points of entry, and to ensure early detection and isolation of suspected cases.

High Mortality Virus with Multiple Transmission Routes

Nipah virus is a zoonotic disease that can spread from animals to humans and has a reported fatality rate ranging between 60 and 75 per cent. Fruit bats, also known as flying foxes, are the natural reservoirs of the virus and can transmit it by contaminating food sources with saliva or urine.

Known modes of transmission include:

•   Contaminated food: Consumption of fruits partially eaten by bats or raw date-palm sap
•   Animal contact: Exposure to infected pigs or other animals
•   Human-to-human transmission: Close contact with body fluids of infected persons, particularly in healthcare settings

Symptoms and Disease Progression

The incubation period typically ranges from 4 to 14 days, though delayed onset has also been reported. Early symptoms often resemble common viral infections, making prompt clinical suspicion critical.

•   Initial symptoms: Fever, headache, body aches, fatigue, sore throat
•   Progressive symptoms: Drowsiness, disorientation, altered mental state
•   Severe stage: Seizures, neck stiffness and acute encephalitis, which can rapidly progress to coma

Public Health Advisory

The Health Department has issued precautionary guidelines urging the public to adopt risk-avoidance practices to prevent any local spillover.

Do’s
•   Wash fruits thoroughly before consumption
•   Drink boiled and cooled water
•   Use protective equipment while handling livestock
•   Maintain strict hand hygiene

Don’ts
•   Avoid fruits found on the ground or showing bite marks
•   Do not consume beverages made from raw tree sap, including toddy
•   Avoid areas with dense bat populations
•   Do not handle sick or dead animals

Preparedness Measures

Officials confirmed that isolation wards are being readied in major government hospitals and that medical staff are being sensitised to identify early warning signs.

“There is no cause for panic, but there is a need for heightened vigilance,” a senior health official said, adding that there is currently no approved vaccine or specific antiviral treatment for Nipah, and care remains largely supportive.

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