Kerala has been put on high alert after the death of at least 9 people in the past two weeks, reportedly due to Nipah virus. While three people died from one Kozhikode family in the past two weeks, 6 more deaths were confirmed on Sunday, a media report said.
ANI reported that the 2 of the 9 deaths after high fever have been confirmed to be due to Nipah virus.
State Health Minister K K Shylaja on Sunday said the nature of the virus was yet to be ascertained. "The kind of virus that caused the disease has not been ascertained. Blood and other samples of the deceased have been sent to the National Virology Institute, Pune. The results will be made available in a few days", she told reporters in Kozhikode after chairing a meet of top health department officials.
According to a Times of India report, the National Virology Institute in Pune has confirmed the cause of death as Nipah virus (NiV).
The Kerala state health department has been put on high alert with task force being formed in affected districts.
The Director of Health service, Kerala, Dr R L Sarita said the health department has issued directions to all District Medical Officers to maintain vigil and forward information in case people with similar symptoms approach them for treatment.
Dr Sarita told reporters that the deaths occurred due to a rare virus and that the health department has taken all preventive measures.
A single window system has been put in place to monitor emergency treatment to meet any eventuality, health officials said.
Minister of Health and Family Welfare JP Nadda also reviewed the situation in Kerala on Sunday and directed instructed the Director of National Centre for Disease Control to visit the affected districts and initiate required steps as warranted by the protocol.
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