Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare J.P. Nadda, along with Kerala Health Minister, on Saturday reviewed the ground situation of the Nipah virus outbreak and took stock of the public health measures in the affected areas.
Team deployment
“On directions of the Union Health Minister, a multi-disciplinary Central team led by director, National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) including experts from the NCDC, AIIMS, Safdarjung hospital, EMR division, NIV Pune was immediately deployed in Kozikode, Kerala and are constantly monitoring the situation of the Nipah virus disease, and supporting the State health authorities in managing the outbreak,” noted a release issued by the Health Ministry.
The team had suggested triage of Nipah cases — establishment of dedicated isolation facilities in the district and strict infection-control practices. “Nipah virus disease has affected two districts of Kerala — Kozhikode and Malappuram. The Ministry has issued guidelines,” said the release.
Contact tracing, treatment and clinical management protocol has been provided to State authorities.
Meanwhile, the NCDC is monitoring the situation in various States through (Integrated Disease Control Surveillance Programme (IDSP) network. Advisories have been sent to all States.
Out of 19 reported cases, 17 persons died from the two-affected districts in Kerala.