Nipah virus symptoms in 11 more people in Kozhikode village

Kozhikode: A day after an 18-year-old child died of the Nipah virus in Kerala, Health Minister Veena George said the symptoms were found in 11 others, including the child's mother. Samples have been taken from these eleven people and the results of eight of them are expected to come on Monday night. The animal husbandry team visited the home where the child and his family lived. He also took samples of two goats owned by the family. Samples were also taken from two trees in his yard.

The Nipah virus is transmitted by bats and they have tested and taken samples of the possibility of bats eating the fruit of a tree in the yard of this house. The team has also discovered a colony of bats on the shores of the lake. The NIV team from Bhopal will come to take samples on Wednesday.

The state health department is keeping a close watch on these cases. It is strictly following contact tracing. A total of 21 contacts have been identified and 8 of them fall into the high risk category. The health department will launch a house-to-house survey on Tuesday to ensure that no one with the Nipah virus remains unaffected. Earlier, the Kerala government had issued the Nipah Management Plan. Private and government hospitals were to comply with its health protocol accordingly. The district authorities themselves can also prepare a separate Nipah management plan. It also publishes guidelines for treatment and discharge.

State Health Minister Veena George has asked all district authorities to be extremely vigilant. Those affected by encephalitis are asked to be kept under observation. Special training will be given to healthcare workers, field workers, doctors and other staff of private hospitals and others.

The Nipah virus is transmitted from animals to humans. It comes from bats to animals and from them to humans. It usually affects animals like pigs, dogs, horses. If it spreads to humans, it can lead to serious illness and even death.