Nipah ‘localised’ in Kerala

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, May 24

The Centre today reassured the people that the current Nipah virus outbreak was localised in Kerala and had not spread out of the state.

With nine and three deaths, Kerala’s Kozhikode and Malappuram are the most affected districts, together accounting for all the 12 deaths from the virus. Two of the deaths were reported today. Fourteen confirmed and 20 suspected cases are under management at Kozhikode Medical College and Trivandrum Medical College.

The central experts of the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) today issued a late evening statement to dispel fears of Nipah spread beyond Kerala.

Amid panic in Himachal Pradesh’s Nahan after 18 bats were found dead in a local school and apprehension of spread in Karnataka, the Health Ministry said, “After reviewing cases of all the patients who have lost their lives, the central high-level team is of the view that the Nipah virus disease is not a major outbreak and is only a local occurrence.”

The NCDC has asked people to maintain safe hygiene practices like washing hands, avoiding consumption of fruits and vegetables partly eaten by birds or animals and avoid going near infected persons.

‘Rush last rites’

The Centre urged family members of people dying from Nipah infection to conduct last rites as early as possible to prevent spread of the highly contagious disease. “During this emotional moment, traditional rituals and practices may need to be modified to prevent the exposure of family members to the disease,” the Health Ministry said.