Three nurses from the EMS Memorial Cooperative hospital at Perambra , who had earlier attended to the Nipah Virus affected patients, have fallen ill. They have been referred to Kozhikode Medical College Hospital. No confirmation has come so far whether they have contracted the disease.
Lini Puthusshery, a nurse from the same hospital, who had treated three infected persons, had fallen ill a few days ago and was under treatment. She passed away at 2 am on Monday morning. Though lab results of her blood and fluid samples hadn’t come yet, her body was not handed over to her family. After consulting the family, the authorities cremated the body at an electronic crematorium. This was done as a precautionary measure to ensure that the virus, if present, did not spread further.
With the sudden turn of events, other hospital employees are anxious and concerned.
Reports say, one more case of Nipah virus infection has been confirmed by the Health Department. Valachuketti Moosa (62) who has been in a critical condition and undergoing treatment is now diagnosed with the infection.
His sons Mohammed Sadik (26) and Mohammed Salih (28) died on May 5 and May 18 respectively. Moosa’s brother Moideen’s wife Mariam (50) passed away on May 19. The Health Department of Kerala had confirmed yesterday that their death was due to Nipah Virus infection.
As many as 20 people suspected to be infected with Nipah have been admitted to the Kozhikode Medical College, out of which the condition of 10 is said to be critical.
Health Minister KK Shylaja said that six deaths due to the virus had been confirmed and that the government was setting up more facilities at the Kozhikode Medical College, as that was the district with maximum fatalities so far.
K K Shylaja said, "Two more ventilators have been made available at the Government Medical College Hospital on Monday and two isolation wards have been set up immediately." She added that Rs 20 lakh was allotted to the Kozhikode Medical College to face the situation. Private hospitals have been requested to attend to poor patients and their expenses would be met by the government.
A 24-hour control room has been opened at District Medical Office, Kozhikode.
24-hour control room number: 0495 2376063.