Nipah virus deaths in Kerala: Centre rushes specialist team

Tribune News Service 

New Delhi, May 21

After around nine deaths on account of confirmed and suspected cases of Nipah virus in Kerala, the Centre on Monday rushed a specialist team of doctors for help and review.

The virus has broken out in Kozhikode and has no cure. It has 70 per cent mortality rate and is transmitted from fruit bats to humans.

J P Nadda, Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare, today assured all support to the Kerala Government and has directed a multi-disciplinary Central team from the National Centre for Disease Control to immediately visit the district, and assist the state and closely monitor the situation. The team will reach Kerala today.

“We are closely monitoring the situation. I have spoken to Health Minister, Kerala and assured hims support of the Central government. I have also dispatched a Central team to assist the State government and initiate required steps,” Nadda said in a statement from Geneva where he has gone to attend the World Health Assembly.

The Central team includes Dr Sujeet K Singh, Director, National Centre for Disease Control, Dr S K Jain, Head Epidemiology, NCDC, Dr P Ravindran, Director, Emergency Medical Relief (EMR), Dr Naveen Gupta, Head Zoonosis, NCDC along with two clinicians and one expert from Ministry of Animal Husbandry.

What is Nipah

Newly emerging disease which can be transmitted to humans from animals.

The natural host of the virus are fruit bats. 

Can be prevented by avoiding exposure to sick pigs and bats