NewsDesk  @infectiousdiseasenews

In a follow-up on the Nipah virus situation in Kerala, India, the state government reports (computer translated) the test results of eight symptomatic close contacts on the 12-year-old boy who died from the virus had tested negative by the National Institute of Virology in Pune.

Pteropus fruit bat
Image/Video Screen Shot

According to officials, 257 people people are on the contact list, including 141 health care workers. 51 people are hospitalized, but none have serious symptoms.

Nipah treatment and isolation has been set up at Kozhikode Medical College. The availability of ICU beds and ventilators was ensured. A negative pressure ICU exclusively for patients was set up.

Those at high risk were transferred to the Medical College Isolation Ward. Ambulance facilities were made available to take those in contact with the patient to the Medical College Hospital immediately. Steps have been taken to recruit additional staff and to train trained personnel for Nipah treatment.

Great efforts are also being made to trace the source of the Nipah. Those on the primary contact list are called from the control room to ask for health information and provide counseling. Four from Wayanad district, eight from Malappuram, three from Kannur, one each from Ernakulam, Palakkad and Kollam districts have been included in the Nipah contact list.

People from Kannur and Malappuram have been brought to Kozhikode. They are being treated and cared for. No one has any serious symptoms. Teams trained in the NIPA-confirmed area will conduct home visits and collect information, including symptoms.

The District Medical Officer said(computer translated)  that there is no need to be afraid in the event of Nipah disease being confirmed in the state and it is safe to adopt preventive measures. Nipah is a virus that is transmitted from animals to humans. When the virus enters the human body, it causes symptoms such as fever, headache, dizziness, fainting, nausea, vomiting, and blurred vision between four and 14 days. Sometimes the symptoms take up to 21 days to manifest. As soon as the symptoms appear, the patient becomes critically ill. Therefore, proper preventive measures should be taken to prevent the spread of the disease. They are transmitted to humans by bats or pigs infected with the virus.

Do not pick or eat bat-bitten fruits or fallen fruits. Although the fruit is plucked from the tree, eat it only after it has been thoroughly washed. Pig farm workers should wear socks, gloves and a mask. Sick pigs should be reported to their veterinarian.  Symptoms of fever should not be taken lightly. The District Medical Officer (Health) said that self-medication is not allowed.

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