Mangaluru, May 21: After the Kerala Health Department confirmed that deadly Nipah virus has caused at least three deaths in the state, the panic over the new disease started spreading in neighbouring states including Karnataka.
Lack of a health minister due to the delay in formation of a new government in Karnataka after recent polls, is another reason for the concern among people of the state.
On the other hand, hours after confirmation by Kerala health department, eight more people died after showing similar symptoms in Kozhikode and Malappuram.
The pathogen has first affected the family of V Moosa, 62, a native of Changarothu village in Kerala’s Kozhikode district. In the past two weeks, Moosa’s two sons Swalih, 26, and Sabith died of fever. Their aunt Mariyam, 50, died on Saturday. Moosa and Swalih’s wife Athifa are battling for life with the same symptoms as the three who died.
Samples from the three dead were collected and sent to the virology lab at the Kasturba Medical College, Manipal and the National Virology Institute in Pune. The results have now confirmed the presence of Nipah virus in the samples, according officials.
According to reports, nine people also died in Kozhikode district after suspicious high fever. The deaths have triggered fear in the area, where 25 persons have been hospitalised with fever and suspected symptoms of encephalitis associated with Nipah virus. The Kerala health department has opened a control room in Kozhikode to tackle the situation.
One of the persons who died late Sunday was identified as a nurse named Lini who worked at the taluk hospital, reportedly in close contact with those who were infected. To prevent further spread of the infection, her body was cremated immediately without handing it over to her family.
“Through secretions, the virus could spread from one person to another. It is a serious situation but there’s no need to panic. All those persons who were reportedly in contact with the infected are being closely monitored. We have asked the medical personnel to use all safety gear such as gloves and masks while dealing with potentially infected persons. The collector has already ordered the area around the home of the family with the initial deaths to be cordoned off,” Jayshree said, stressing that all practices to control the spread of the infection have been put in place.
Neighbours reportedly told medical officials that they saw the three members of the family – brothers Swalih and Sabith and their paternal aunt Mariyam – consuming what looked like fruits picked up from a compound in which they are building a home.
While seven deaths have been reported from Kozhikode, four people who showed similar symptoms of viral encephalitis have died in Malappuram, the district’s medical officer Sakeena KJ said.
Health Minister KK Shylaja will oversee the efforts of the health department in Kozhikode and Malappuram where the spread of the infection has alarmed the locals. The department has asked people not to believe rumours generated on social media platforms like WhatsApp.
A medical camp was conducted in Changaroth panchayat on Sunday, where the initial deaths occurred, to assist people who may be developing symptoms of viral fever. The camp is likely to continue today as well. A control room has also been set up to disseminate information about the virus.
Also Read: From Malaysia to Kerala: All you need to know about the deadly Nipah virus
Comments
Add new comment