Steps taken to check Nipah virus spread in Mahe: CM

Chief Minister V. Narayanasamy on Tuesday said that the Health Department had been geared up to ensure that there was no scope for Nipah virus to spread in Mahe, an enclave of the Union Territory in Kerala.

Addressing a press conference, Mr. Narayanasamy said that he, along with Health Minister Malladi Krishna Rao, held discussions with officials of the Health Department and Jipmer in the wake of reported outbreak of Nipah in Kozhikode near Mahe claiming as many as 16 lives in the last two days.

“We have taken all the necessary steps and the Director of Medical Services (DMS) has been camping in Mahe to monitor the preventive measures taken. A special ward has also been opened in the Mahe General Hospital and specialists have been deployed to rise to any exigency,” he said.

Mr. Narayanasamy said that pamphlets on Nipah virus and its symptoms were being distributed door-to-door in Mahe.

“We have also opened special booths at the Puducherry railway station and bus stand to check those coming from Mahe for any symptoms of the virus. Doctors and paramedical staff are manning the booths and those identified with symptoms will be provided immediate medical care,” he said.

Since the disease was transmitted from animals to humans and bats were the carriers, he appealed to owners of buildings remaining closed for days to ensure that the premises were kept free of bats.

Meeting at Mahe

Meanwhile, a high-level committee meeting chaired by the Deputy Director of Mahe General Hospital was held in Mahe to discuss the steps taken to prevent the outbreak of the virus.

According to a release, an action plan was worked out to create awareness of the disease at various wards and high-risk areas besides fever surveillance by the public health team.

IEC activities would be taken up through WhatsApp messages, notices and local television channels.

The Health Department had directed all health centres in Mahe to refer suspected cases to the higher centre with adequate treatment facilities. The meeting also decided to constitute Rapid Response Teams to identify and react if any case was identified and to maintain close surveillance in the nearby health institutions for suspected cases.

The meeting also decided to purchase Personal Protective Equipment to protect the health personnel. An infectious disease ward will be opened exclusively at the Mahe GH for suspected fever cases.

The department had also directed all paramedical staff to follow barrier nursing while handling fever cases.