Nipah Virus outbreak in Kerala: 314 people under observation, border districts in neighbouring states on alert
With the outbreak of Nipah virus in Kerala, an alert has been sounded in the neighbouring states of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu for infection. As many as 314 people from various districts in Kerala are currently under observation. Meanwhile, a college student was being treated at a private hospital for Nipah virus. His condition is said to be stable.
Authorities have scrambled to trace the source of the potentially deadly virus which resurfaced in the state a year after it struck two north Kerala districts, claiming 17 lives.
Eight border districts in Karnataka have come under lens for any possible signs of infection. These include Chamrajnagar, Mysuru, Kodagu, Dakshina Kannada, Uttara Kannada, Udupi, Shivamogga, and Chikamagaluru. Officials from Tamil Nadu have also issued alerts in seven districts. These include Kanyakumari, Nilgiris, Coimbatore, Ooty, Dindigul, Tirunelveli, and Theni.
A control room has been set up and the Strategic Health Operations Centre of the National Centre for Disease Control has been activated, phone number for which is 011-23978046, a health ministry statement said in New Delhi.
Nipah Virus: Symptoms, prevention
SYMPTOMS:
Fever, headache, vomiting, fainting
Some may show symptoms of epilepsy
Symptoms may last for 10-12 days
Then, the infected may fall unconscious
Death may happen as brain fever develops at the final stage
PREVENTION:
Do not eat fruits bitten by birds and animals
Wash hands properly after contacting infected people
Wear mask and gloves while tending to patients
Do not drink toddy collected from areas where bats are found in large numbers
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