Ernakulam free from Nipah virus
Last patient discharged after 53 days.
Kochi: After staying for 53 days in the hospital, the 23-year-old Nipah patient hailing from the district was discharged from Aster Medcity in the presence of health minister K.K. Shailaja on Tuesday. The hospital bore all expenses of the patient.
The health minister congratulated the medical team at the hospital for successfully handling the case. The team comprised Dr Boby Varkey, senior consultant neurologist, Dr Anup Warrier, consultant-infectious diseases, Dr Arun Wilson, consultant-specialist infectious diseases and Dr Anuroop Balagopal, consultant intensivist.
Speaking on the occasion, Ms Shailaja said the joint effort of government and private sectors could help find solutions to all health issues affecting the people.
“In the two phases of Nipah outbreak, this joint effort was evident,” the minister pointed out. She also declared Ernakulam district as Nipah free on the occasion. Dr Azad Moopen, founder chairman and managing director, Aster DM Healthcare, urged the state government to take immediate steps to make level four virology laboratory a reality in the state and offered `50 lakh to buy equipments for the same. District Collector S. Suhas was also present on the occasion. According to the doctors at the hospital, as a part of a stringent approach, the Nipah-infected patient was kept under observation in the negative pressure isolation room at Aster Medcity.
In addition, appropriate treatment protocols and medication were introduced to ensure that the patient is cured of the virus and it did not spread further.
On the part of the State Health Department, a total of 338 persons suspected of being infected with Nipah virus were brought under close surveillance in a special facility at Ernakulam Government Medical College. A total of 17 of them were admitted to the isolation ward. Blood samples of 58 persons were sent to Pune Virology Institute for expert examination.
A meeting of the people who participated in the Nipah prevention drive would be conducted on August 4 at Kalamassery-based Ernakulam Government Medical College.