Chairing a high-level meeting on the Nipah Virus outbreak on Sunday, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has said that there is no cause for panic as the brief Nipah Virus flare up in north Kerala has been contained.
The state Health Department has confirmed that nobody has been affected with Nipah Virus since May 17.
In a press meet conducted after the meeting, the Health Minister KK Shyalaja said that the anxieties about the second phase of Nipah Virus infection have been allayed. She, however, added that vigilance will continue until June 30 and the disease can be said to be under control only after that.
In a post on Facebook, Health Minister KK Shyalaja stated that the total number of samples tested for Nipah Virus, as of 4 June, is 244 and the total number of the negative result is 226.
Meanwhile, the Department of Health took to Facebook to say that the second phase of the Nipah Virus should have started on May 20 and it should have peaked between May 26 to May 30. Since it has not happened, what would otherwise have been a highly dangerous phase, is over.
Dr Jayasree, District Medical Officer of Kozhikode told TNM, “As of June 3, the number of confirmed cases remain as before. Out of earlier 18 confirmed cases, 16 have passed away. Including Sadik’s death, it will be 17. Two people are under treatment. There are 2401 people in the contact list. 22 people are put under observation in the Kozhikode Medical College hospital.”
Sadik was the first person to die from the Moosa family in Kozhikode’s Peramabra. Three other members of the family had died due to Nipah Virus, but Sadik's samples could not be collected.
Rajeev Sadanandan, Additional Chief Secretary (Health and Family Welfare) told TNM, “The two earlier confirmed Nipah Virus cases, who have been under treatment, were taken off ventilator a few days ago. They have been responding well to the antiviral drug Ribavirin. They are healthy now. They don’t need a ventilator. There is no virus in their body. But we are yet to decide on the discharge policy. So, we have advised them to stay in.”
At Sunday’s high-level meeting, officials decided that persons who have been in direct contact with the deceased and those who are in the contact list have been advised to remain quarantined in their homes. These persons will be supplied with food kits free of cost by the government. The Kozhikode and Malappuram District Collectors were given the orders to supervise the distribution.
It was also decided that barring those who are under observation, it is safe for people to travel and go to work in Kozhikode and Malappuram districts.
The Kozhikode District Collector UV Jose told TNM, “The first set of kits will be distributed from Tuesday onwards. It will have 10 kg rice, pulses and other required items. More supplies will be provided for as per the needs.”
On people who are under house quarantine, Rajeev Sadanand told TNM, “The health officials periodically call them to check if they have developed symptoms. If they have, they are immediately brought to the hospital. Ambulances have been arranged in case anyone needs to be shifted to hospitals.”
It has also been decided at the meeting that until the disease is completely under control, a team of experts from the Thiruvananthapuram Government Medical College Hospital will be stationed in Kozhikode. Experts from the Indian Council for Medical Research (ICMR) and the National Institute of Epidemiology (NIE) will continue to assist them.