Thiruvananthapuram: Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Monday said that Nipah virus had just one source and the situation was under control at the moment. He was speaking after the all- party meeting organised to review the Nipah situation in the state. The chief minister called upon the people to take preventive measures and maintain vigil till June end. Pinarayi said public events and functions should be avoided in Kozhikode and Malappuram districts. The chief minister said there was no need for panic.
The all-party meeting extended full support to the efforts being taken by the government to contain the deadly virus. The meeting reviewed the steps being taken by the health department and other agencies in the Nipah-affected areas. At the meeting, leaders of ruling and opposition parties praised the efforts and commitment of the health department officials on the ground. The opposition parties extended full support to the disease detection, control and prevention programmes initiated by the department in the state. The all- party meeting appealed for coordinated efforts to tackle the problem.
At the moment the treatment expenses of all Nipah affected persons and suspected cases would be met by government. The meeting decided to provide free ration kits to 2,400 families in Kozhikode and 150 families in Malappuram district. Health Minister K K Shailaja said the attempts to create scare would be dealt with sternly. "It is unfortunate that a some people are running misinformation campaign on the social media which is resulting in panic," she said.
The health department and Kozhikode district administration had taken significant steps in the first phase which helped in containing the virus in the areas where it first surfaced. The minister said those families which had paid for the treatment of Nipah affected would be reimbursed the amount. The reimbursement will be on the basis of the report to be submitted by Collectors.The meeting called for isolating the forces trying to create panic through social media.
