Nipah Returns to Kerala as 23-Year-old Student Tests Positive, Govt Says No Need to Panic
A list of 86 people, who came in contact with the patient are being monitored by medical officials in Ernakulam.
Medics wearing protective gear examine a patient at a hospital in Kozhikode in Kerala. (Reuters)
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Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala Health Minister KK Shailaja on Tuesday confirmed that the 23-year-old student admitted to a private hospital in Ernakulam has tested positive for Nipah virus.
The health department is carrying out contact tracing to prevent the spread of the disease. Eighty-six people, who came in contact with the patient, are currently being monitored.
“Of those who have come in contact with the 23-year-old, two have symptoms of fever. One of them has been admitted to the isolation ward. It’s not a serious situation, but we still admitted him due to fever and sore throat. Two nurses in the hospital where the patient was initially treated have sore throat and are also under observation,” the minister said.
Bats are natural hosts of Nipah virus, which can transmit from them to other animals and humans. Human-to-human transmission is possible through close contact.
The initial symptoms include fever, headache, muscle pain, vomiting and sore throat. Later, the patient can develop dizziness, altered consciousness and neurological signs that indicate acute encephalitis. Some people could also show signs of acute respiratory distress.
A control room has been set up by the Ernakulam district administration to attend to the concerns of the people. People can call on the helpline number 1077 if they have any concerns or doubts regarding the virus and the situation.
The health department is carrying out contact tracing to prevent the spread of the disease. Eighty-six people, who came in contact with the patient, are currently being monitored.
“Of those who have come in contact with the 23-year-old, two have symptoms of fever. One of them has been admitted to the isolation ward. It’s not a serious situation, but we still admitted him due to fever and sore throat. Two nurses in the hospital where the patient was initially treated have sore throat and are also under observation,” the minister said.
Bats are natural hosts of Nipah virus, which can transmit from them to other animals and humans. Human-to-human transmission is possible through close contact.
The initial symptoms include fever, headache, muscle pain, vomiting and sore throat. Later, the patient can develop dizziness, altered consciousness and neurological signs that indicate acute encephalitis. Some people could also show signs of acute respiratory distress.
A control room has been set up by the Ernakulam district administration to attend to the concerns of the people. People can call on the helpline number 1077 if they have any concerns or doubts regarding the virus and the situation.