The antibody for the Nipah virus infection were brought from Australia on Saturday and will be administered to only those who tested positive.
Additional Chief Secretary in charge of Health Rajeev Sadanandan said the drug was brought as per a contract between the government of Australia and the Indian Council for Medical Research (ICMR). It would be unpacked only in the presence of ICMR representatives, who were expected to be in Kozhikode by Monday.
Mr. Sadanandan said the isolation parameters for the Ebola infection had been followed in setting up an isolation room at the Government Medical College Hospital, Kozhikode.
A fever OP had been set up outside the room and the patients would not be allowed to mix with other people, he said.
Health Minister K.K. Shylaja said Ayurveda and Homoeopathy practitioners had been given a free hand to engage in preventive measures. However, they had been warned against treating patients with Nipah symptoms.
G.Arunkumar, head of the Manipal Centre for Virus Research, told the media that the Nipah outbreak in Kozhikode had been effectively contained. “We do not expect a surge in secondary infection.”
Public gatherings
The date of reopening of all educational institutions in Kozhikode and Malappuram districts has been extended to June 12. The restrictions on public gatherings that were imposed till June 4 have been extended to June 12.
While all State-level examinations, including that of the Kerala Public Service Commission have been postponed, the national-level tests, including the UPSC examinations, on Sunday will not be affected.
An all-party meeting will be held on Monday (June 4) to enlist the cooperation of the political leaders.