COIMBATORE
With a 23-year-old student diagnosed with deadly Nipah virus in Kerala, Health Department in Tamil Nadu started screening of people coming from the neighbouring State at eight check posts along interstate borders in Coimbatore.
The arrangements include a round the clock medical camp set up at Tamil Nadu side of Walayar on Coimbatore-Palakkad Road which has the highest traffic between the two States.
The medical camps set up at the eight check posts will screen people travelling from Kerala to Tamil Nadu for symptoms of fever.
“Health officials posted at the medical camps have been asked to screen passengers to identify people having fever, mainly those with prolonged fever and symptoms of Nipah. We have not come across any person who has suspected symptoms,” said P.G. Bhanumathi, Deputy Director of Health Services, Coimbatore.
The medical team comprises of a doctor, health inspector, block health supervisor. They will check passengers of private vehicles and buses run by KSRTC, TNSTC and private operators. Meenakshipuram, Gopalapuram, Walayar and Anaikatti are the four main places where interstate check posts operate.
“The teams also have essential drugs with them. They will refer persons with suspected symptoms to Coimbatore Medical College hospital where a special ward has been created to treat patients in isolation,” said Dr. Bhanumathi.
CMCH Dean B. Asokan said that a special ward with 30 beds has been formed at the hospital to treat persons with suspected symptoms of Nipah as precautionary measure.
The ward has 20 beds for male and 10 beds female patients. No person has been brought to CMCH with symptoms of Nipah.
ends|wilson