The dreadful Nipah has staged a comeback. But the State is better prepared this time. The 22-year-old student is under treatment at a private hospital in Ernakulam. And his condition has shown marked improvement with the fever subsiding.
P. Sreekumaran I IPA Service
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The dreadful Nipah has staged a comeback. But the State is better prepared this time.
The State Government has swung into action after a case of the brain-damaging viral fever was confirmed in Ernakulam. The 22-year-old student is under treatment at a private hospital in Ernakulam. And his condition has shown marked improvement with the fever subsiding.
Six other persons, including two nurses, are under observation in isolation wards at the Government Medical College in Ernakulam. But there is good news: their samples sent to Pune have tested negative, much to the relief of the State Health Department.
The Health Department has, so far, identified 316 persons who came in contact with the patients. They have been quarantined at their homes.
The incubation period for the Nipah virus ranges from four to 22 days, The virus is transmitted to humans from animals such as pigs and bats through contaminated food. The virus can also be transmitted directly from already contaminated humans.
It may be mentioned that the virus, which has a high mortality rate of 70 per cent, claimed 17 lives in two North Kerala districts in May last year – 14 in Kozhikode and 3 in Malappuram.
The State Government, like it did last time, rose to the occasion with the Health Minister K K Shailaja leading from the front. Ever since the news of the Nipah outbreak came, she has been camping in Ernakulam.
The Centre has also been prompt in rushing to the assistance of the State. A Central team is already in Kerala. Union Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan has had a talk with the Kerala Health Minister and assured her of all help to contain the virus outbreak.
Meanwhile, the State branch of the Indian Medical Association (IMA) has sought to allay the fears of the people. There is no need to panic, the IMA said, adding that the infection has been reported only from Ernakulam so far. There is little chance of the virus spreading to neighbouring districts, it reassured the people.
On their part, the Police have registered two cases for spreading false news on the Nipah outbreak on social media. The State Government is maintaining high alert with the outbreak of Monsoon looming. All efforts are being made to ensure that Nipah does not take a heavy toll of human lives like it did in May last year.
