A multi-disciplinary team from NCDC to investigate the outbreak
In view of the rising number of cases and reported deaths due to Nipah virus (NiV) in Kozhikode, Kerala, Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare, J P Nadda, has assured all support to the Kerala Government and has directed a multi-disciplinary Central team from National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) to immediately visit the district, and assist the state and closely monitor the situation. The team will reach Kerala today.
“We are closely monitoring the situation. I have spoken to Shri Alphons and Smt K Shailaja, Health Minister, Kerala and assured them all support of the Central government. I have also dispatched a Central team to assist the State government and initiate required steps,” Nadda said in a statement from Geneva.
The Central team includes Dr Sujeet K Singh, Director, National Centre for Disease Control, Dr S K Jain, Head Epidemiology, NCDC, Dr P Ravindran, Director, Emergency Medical Relief (EMR), Dr Naveen Gupta, Head Zoonosis, NCDC along with two clinicians and one expert from Ministry of Animal Husbandry.
Kerala Health Secretary told that they have got the confirmation from the National Institute of Virology, Pune. The cause of death of two people, ostensibly suffering from fever, in Kozhikode has now been confirmed to be due to the Nipah virus (NiV), spread by fruit bats and causing severe disease in both animals and humans, a top official said.
Transmission of Nipah virus takes place through direct contact with infected bats, pigs, or from other NiV-infected people and people have been also cautioned that they should not consume fruits that have fallen on to the ground.
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