Thiruvananthapuram/ Kozhikode:Teams from the Pune-based National Institute of Virology (NIV) have been sent to Kerala to establish a mobile laboratory at Kozhikode Medical College with the primary objective of conducting Nipah virus testing and carry out a survey of bats, as announced by the state government during an Assembly session held on Wednesday.
The decision came after the recent confirmation of 'Nipah' infection in four individuals within Kozhikode district. In response to the Nipah outbreak, State Health Minister Veena George said, "The viral strain detected in Kerala carries a substantial mortality risk, although its contagiousness is comparatively lower."
The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has agreed to fly down the monoclonal antibodies required for the treatment of Nipah patients. The Health Department has initiated a multi-pronged approach, including surveillance, contact tracing, risk categorization, isolation facility setup, containment zone demarcation, and procurement of medicines from ICMR to address those infected with this debilitating virus.
The Kozhikode district administration has declared seven village panchayats as containment zones, including Atanchery, Maruthonkara, Tiruvallur, Kuttiyadi, Kayakkodi, Villyapalli, and Kavilumpara. Travel in and out of these containment zones is strictly prohibited until further notice.