Kerala Government Reports Possible Presence of Nipah Virus in Bats in Wayanad District
Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala government announced on Wednesday that the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has identified a potential presence of the Nipah virus in bats in the Wayanad district of the state, according to an ICMR report. Health Minister Veena George clarified that this does not indicate new cases of the virus in the district, but rather serves as a cautionary message to the state’s health system and the public.
Minister George emphasized that the possibility of the virus’s presence extends beyond Wayanad to other districts as well. Addressing reporters, she provided an update on the Nipah outbreak in the state, which recently infected six individuals in the Kozhikode district, resulting in two deaths.
Furthermore, the minister stated that all individuals who came into contact with the infected patients have completed their isolation and quarantine periods. She also expressed pride in the state’s ability to limit the Nipah mortality rate, which typically ranges from 70% to 90%, to 33%.
Minister George highlighted the proactive measures implemented by the government, such as the issuance of Kozhikode-specific standard operating protocols (SOPs), to combat the virus. Moreover, the establishment of the Kerala One Health Centre for Nipah Research demonstrates the state’s commitment to addressing the virus effectively.
While the current focus is on consolidating the field activities related to public health under the Kozhikode Medical College, Minister George revealed the future plan to develop the center into an independent research institute with its own infrastructure.
Regarding the Nipah deaths, the first fatality on August 30 was identified as the index case, responsible for spreading the infection to others. This year’s outbreak marks the fourth occurrence of the virus in Kerala since 2018.
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