Kochi: In the wake of the confirmation of Nipah virus infection in Ernakulam, Health Minister K.K. Shailaja has instructed the Kochi Corporation health team to step up disease prevention and awareness efforts. During an emergency meeting convened at the corporation office here on Tuesday, the minister said that creating awareness among the public was as important as disease prevention.
Mayor Soumini Jain asked the civic officials to conduct division-level awareness programmes on June 7 and 8 in association with residents’ associations, educational institutions, NGOs, representatives of political parties and people’s representatives.
Dr. P.J. Cyriac, resident medical officer, Ernak-ulam government general hospital, took a class on Nipah virus and prevention measures.
Mayor Soumini Jain sought the minister’s sanction to recruit two more sanitation workers in each division on Casual Labour Role (CLR) basis for three months to expedite cleaning works, considering the emergency situation.
Ms. Jain also requested the minister to take steps to open special counters in all hospitals in the city to handle suspected Nipah cases.
Collector Muhammad Y. Safirulla said that precautionary measures have been taken at the district level and a control room has already been opened with a helpline number 1077.
Deputy Mayor T.J. Vinod, standing committee chairmen A.B Sabu, P.M Haris, K.V.P. Krishna Kumar, Gracy Joseph, Pratibha Ansari, RDO Snehil Kumar, corporation secretary R. Rahesh and councillor K.J. Antony also attended the meeting.
