Family members of the patients admitted at the Kozhikode Medical College wear safety masks as a precautionary measure after the Nipah virus outbreak, in Kozhikode, on Tuesday. Photo: PTI
Kozhikode (Kerala), May 22 (IANS) The toll due to the Nipah virus (NiP), presently identified in Kerala's Kozhikode and Malappuram, rose to 10 on Tuesday even as the Central and state governments scrambled to contain its outbreak.
State Health Minister K.K. Shailaja, who is now based at Kozhikode and shuttling to Malappuram, told the media that till Tuesday, 18 samples have been sent for investigation.
"Of these, 12 have been identified - of which 10 sufferers have died and two are serious. The medical professionals are doing their best, even as two patients with this virus passed away today (Tuesday) morning," said Shailaja and added that 11 in Kozhikode are under observation.
The virus first claimed the lives of two brothers and their aunt in Perambara near here.
Even though Nipah virus, spread by direct contact with infected fruit bats, pigs or from other infected persons, infects both animals and humans, Central Animal Husbandary Commissioner S.P. Suresh, who is part of the Central team here, said that after their examination of animals in the affected areas, no incidence of virus in animals has been identified and instead it is the humans that have been affected.
"No domesticated animals so far have been affected. Other aspects should be now probed as this has been now found in only human beings," he said.
National Centre for Disease Control Director Sujeet K.Singh, who is also part of the Central team, told the media that all technical assistance and support is being extended by to the state.
"With regards to the financial assistance, that is not decided by me. The second team of ours is reaching here tomorrow (on Wednesday) and things are well under control," he said. A team of medical professionals from AIIMS Delhi is expected to arrive here on Wednesday.
Meanwhile Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Tuesday said that he welcomed all those medical professionals who are willing to come to the state to take part in controlling this virus.
"There was a request from one doctor - Kafeel Khan from Uttar Pradesh - that he wish to serve the people who are suffering in Kozhikode. I wish to state that all professionals with a mind to serve the sufferings are more than welcome and they can get in touch with the Health Department here who will make the necessary arrangements," he said.
Meanwhile, the tourism industry represented by the Confederation of Kerala Tourism Industry (CKTI) led by E.M.Najeeb, in a statement issued here, said they wish to convey to all that the concern now projected was larger than the reality.
"All the tourist locations and the state in general are safe as usual for holiday activities. Tourism industry partners in the state are more vigilant and equipped to provide a hassle-free holiday to the visiting travellers. The airports, railway stations, hotels and places of visit all are following the right protocols and are free of problems as usual," he said.
Nipah virus outbreak localised occurrence: Health Ministry
New Delhi, May 22 (IANS) All required steps have been taken to contain the Nipah virus in Kerala, whose outbreak is a localised occurrence and there is no threat of its spread and thus no need to panic, the Union Health and Family Welfare Ministry said on Tuesday.
"Appropriate steps to contain this virus have been taken ... Since all the contacts are under observation and steps to avoid exposure through animal vectors have been taken, there is no reason for people to panic. This appears to be a localised occurrence," it said.
Nipah virus, spread by fruit bats that infects both animals and humans, has claimed the lives of two brothers and their aunt in Perambara of Kozhikode district within a few weeks, and now nine more people are under close observation. However, the toll in Kerala, as on Tuesday, reached 10.
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Family members of the patients admitted at the Kozhikode Medical College wear safety masks as a precautionary measure after the Nipah virus outbreak, in Kozhikode, on Monday. Credit: PTI[/caption]
The ministry said "the outbreak is unlikely to spread" as early and efficient containment measures have been jointly undertaken both by itself and the Kerala government.
"The Virus Research Diagnostic Laboratory at Manipal Hospital and the National Institute of Virology, a premier institute for research in virology, are geared up to meet any diagnostic challenges that may arise," it said.
Union Health Minister J. P. Nadda, who reviewed the matter with Health Secretary Preeti Sudan and Indian Council of Medical Research Director General Balram Bhargava, is closely monitoring the situation arising out of reported cases and deaths due to virus in Kerala, it said.
As per Nadda's directions, a multi-disciplinary Central team from National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) is presently in Kerala. The team visited the house in Perambra from where the initial death was reported.
"The team found many bats housed in the well from where the family was drawing water. Some bats have been caught and have been sent for lab examination to confirm whether they are the cause of the disease or not," said the ministry.
Nadda has urged the citizens not to believe in rumours posted on social media and not to spread panic.
Isolation wards have been opened in many hospitals in Kozhikode. Hospitals in public and private sector have been provided with personal protective equipment, it said.
The Ministry has ensured availability of diagnostic kits, personal protective equipment and risk communication materials. High quality personal protection equipment has been provided to health care personnel.
Kerala nurse died after treating Nipah patient, left heartbreaking note
May 22 (PTI) Twenty eight-year-old Lini working in the Perambra Taluk Hospital in Kozhikode got exposed to the 'deadly' virus while treating affected patients.
Lini leaves behind her husband who works in Bahrain and two sons aged five and two.
In her letter to her husband Sajeesh, Lini expressed her pain and anguish that she could not see him again. "I am almost on the way. I do not think I can meet you," she had said.
She had requested her husband to take care of their children and take them to the Gulf nation with him.
Her relatives could not see even her body, however, they paid their last respects as they allowed the authorities to cremate the body to prevent the chance of spreading the virus.
After coming to know of Lini's health, Sajeesh had come home two days ago.
Nipah virus has so far claimed 10 lives in Kozhikode and Malappuram districts in north Kerala while the condition of two undergoing treatment is said to be critical.
Nipah virus (NiV) infection is a newly emerging zoonosis that causes severe disease in both animals and humans.
The natural host of the virus are fruit bats of the Pteropodidae family, Pteropus genus.
There is no vaccination for the virus which has a mortality rate of 70 per cent.
Health officials said they had found mangoes bitten by bats in a home where three people died of the suspected infection, according to a report.
