Kochi/Kozhikode : With a suspected case of Nipah virus infection being reported from Ernakulam, the state government on Monday took a series of measures on a war-footing to prevent any epidemic outbreak.
“Though the viral infection is yet to be confirmed, we’ve taken all measures to prevent the disease outbreak. The chief minister, the state cabinet and the Union ministry have extended all support for the epidemic control exercise,” said Health Minister K.K. Shailaja.
Isolation wards with minimum 10 beds and facilities like ventilators were opened at Kalamassery, Kottayam and Thrissur Medical colleges.
All private hospitals were directed to be on vigil, especially on fever cases, and report the suspected ones with all details. Training on how to extend treatment facilities at quick notice and the precautions to be followed for disease prevention was being given to the staff of medical colleges.
“We’ve also arranged necessary clothes and other basic requirements for patients if the need arises. A system for quick quarantine, admission and treatment besides ambulance facility has been given shape. Also we’ll hold awareness programmes so as to educate the public with the ‘dos and don’ts,’ ” the minister said.
Protective equipment like full protection masks have been procured at centres like Kalamassery Medical College. A five-member medical team from Kozhikode has reached Ernakulam to guide and co-ordinate the disease prevention activities.
Meanwhile, the state government has warned of strict action against those spreading “false and fake” messages about the disease on the social media.
“Last time we’ve booked 25 cases and arrested 10 persons for indulging in such activities. The cyber team has been formed to monitor attempts to create panic by spreading rumours through the social media,” she said.
A 23-year-old patient from North Paravur has been admitted to a private hospital in Kochi and moved to an isolation ward after he developed symptoms of the viral infection on May 30. The laboratory test of the blood samples at the Kerala Institute of Virology and Infectious Diseases, Alapuzha, found him infected by a virus similar to that of Nipah.
The samples have been forwarded to the National Institute of Virology, Pune, for confirmation.
All those who have come into close contact with him are being monitored. The final-year student of an engineering college at Thodupuzha, he had gone to Thrissur to attend a job training programme for ten days before he was hospitalised.
Also the relatives and neighbours of his house at North Paravur too were being monitored for exhibiting any disease symptoms.
Alert in Koz MCH
A special alert was issued in Kozhikode Medical College Hospital in the wake of suspected Nipah virus outbreak in Ernakulam.
An emergency meeting convened by MCH principal Dr V.R. Rajendran on Monday decided to make special arrangements in the isolation ward and monitor fever cases. If any suspected Nipah symptoms were found, the patients would be shifted to isolation wards. The flow of visitors to MCH would be limited. Staff were directed to insist on limiting the number of bystanders to just one for every patient.
A team from Medical College Hospital, experienced in fighting Nipah, including the then nodal officer Dr Chandni Sajee-van, Dr Sheela Mathew, Dr Mini and nurses Sobhana and Sheena, who served in the special ward, have already reached Ernakul-am to train the staff there. If necessary, one more team would be sent to Ernakulam, Dr Rajendran said.
It was on May 5 last year that the first Nipah virus (NiV)-related death, thou-gh confirmed only after a fortnight, took place in Kozhikode. A total of 16 persons died, including nurse Lini of Perambra taluk hospital who attended on Mohammed Sabith, the first victim.
