Nipah Alert: ICMR team reaches Kozhikode, 3 close contacts test negative

Kozhikode: Following the detection of a Nipah virus case in the district, a team from the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) arrived on Saturday, officials said.

Officials also stated that tests conducted on three close relatives of the patient returned negative results.

According to a government press release, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) team interacted with Revenue Minister A P Anil Kumar, who is in charge of the district.

The team of medical experts also held discussions with doctors and district administration officials regarding the Nipah case and the measures being taken to prevent further spread of the virus, news agency PTI reported.

The team is expected to remain in the district for a few days, officials said.

Also Read:Nipah Scare: Kozhikode man tests positive in preliminary test

Experts from the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) are also scheduled to visit the district, they added.

Minister Anil Kumar on Saturday chaired a review meeting on the Nipah situation and directed officials to ensure all necessary facilities for the patient and those who had come into contact with him.

The meeting was held in the chamber of District Collector M S Madhavikutty.

According to the government release, the minister sought details about the patient and his contacts and instructed officials to ensure the availability of all required medical facilities, equipment and medicines.

He also directed that preventive measures adopted during previous Nipah outbreaks be continued.

During the meeting, the District Collector informed that all measures were being implemented strictly as per protocol.

She further stated that tests had been conducted on three close relatives of the patient, and all had tested negative for the virus.

The collector also said health workers were visiting houses in the affected area to assess the situation and carry out surveillance activities.

A 43-year-old native of Ramanattukara was shifted to the Government Medical College Hospital, where test results confirmed Nipah infection.

As many as 87 people who came into contact with the patient have been placed under surveillance.

Nipah is a zoonotic virus that can spread from animals to humans and, in some cases, between humans. Fruit bats, also known as flying foxes, are the natural reservoir of the virus.

The infection can cause severe respiratory illness and encephalitis, and has a high fatality rate.

Also Read:Nipah Virus: Kozhikode man tests positive, 77 contacts identified