Since a helpline for the deadly Nipah virus was launched in Kerala on June 3, the control room has been buzzing. Though the state government has told people not to panic, the phone rings off the hook with 300 to 500 calls every day from all parts of the state.

But the response team is prepared. "Two to three doctors are posted to offer consultion," said Dr Anup Warrier, a consultant on infectious diseases & infection control from Aster Medcity Hospital. He is one the doctors treating the 23-year-old student diagnosed with Nipah. "Most cases are referred to the local or district health centre closest to the patient. They are reviewed if anything serious is detected."

"The ground situation, as compared to last year (when the state saw an outbreak of the infectious disease), is very different," says Dr Anup. "This year, the case was detected before any mortality. Besides that one case, there have been no positive detections so far."

Around 40 to 45 various government agencies are co-operating to investigate the outbreak. The 40-member team includes professionals from the National Institute of Virology (NIV) in Pune, the Indian Council of Medical Research, bat surveillance officers and forest officers, among others.

In the past, the medical authority failed to rope in systematic testing facilities. Samples had to be sent to Pune for testing; now a PCR testing machine has been installed in a hospital in Kochi by Pune's NIV. Three scientists from NIV have also been teaching local pathologists diagnostic methods to test the samples.

"We are better prepared to tackle the virus this time around," said Dr Anup, "Unlike last year, we were able to detect and contain the infection at a much earlier stage. A personal body kit is provided to doctors and nurses treating the patient. Thus we are able to contain its spread."

Meanwhile, the health of the only person detected with the virus is improving. "His brain condition is improved and his lungs have not been impacted seriously," said Dr Anup. Tests for nine people who showed similar symptoms gave come back negative.

Contagion Contained

• Health of the 23-year-old student who tested positive for Nipah has improved 
• His brain condition is better and lungs have not been impacted seriously
• Nine people, who showed similar symptoms as the student, have tested negative