Nipah Virus Updates: Sample of Seventh Person Tested Negative
Tracking Nipah virus live updates: 311 people who had interacted with the 23-year-old man are under observation.
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A 23-year-old college student in Kerala had been confirmed to be infected with Nipah virus, Kerala Health Minister K K Shailaja said on 4 June.
Out of 86 patients suspected of Nipah Virus, 2 were admitted. The two nurses who treated the patient initially had also reported sore throat and fever. The sample of a second patient had also been sent to NIV Alappuzha, Manipal Laboratory & NIV Pune.
K.K. Shailaja also appealed to social media users to not spread panic among the public, and said that stringent action would be taken against those indulging in such acts.
Here’re the latest updates of the Nipah Virus outbreak in Kerala:
Nipah Virus Resurfaces in Kerala, State on High Alert, Live Updates
Sample of 7th Person Tested Negative for Nipah
According to the news website of Malayalam newspaper Mathrubhumi, the sample of the seventh person has also tested negative for Nipah virus. This comes as a major relief after the diagnosis of a 23-year-old man who is infected with the deadly virus.
Kerala Health Minister KK Shylaja, who is currently in Delhi to meet Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan said, “There is no need for any concern. Result of the sample of the seventh person is also negative.”
'6 Samples from Kerala Have Tested Negative for Nipah'
As per a report in the Hindustan Times, top health ministry officials have said that blood and serum samples of the six other suspected patients of Nipah Virus in Kerala have been found to be negative. The team of experts is yet to ascertain the primary source of infection.
One more test result of another patient is awaited, say reports.
Rajasthan Health Min Asks Officials to Remain Alert
Rajasthan Health Minister Raghu Sharma Thursday gave directions to health officials for the prevention and control of Nipah in the state, days after the deadly virus was detected in Kerala.
Addressing a meeting here on Nipah virus and Glanders disease in horses, Sharma directed officials to send a team to National Virology Laboratory, Pune for training to examine the samples skilfully.
Sharma said that directions have been given to Rapid Response Team to remain alert and take necessary action if any suspected case is identified.
He said that people from Kerala living in Rajasthan should take special precautions.
Tamil Nadu to Screen Nipah Infected Patients on Kerala Border
The Tamil Nadu government has set up medical teams at the checkposts in the seven districts bordering Kerala to screen for Nipah virus infected persons, said a senior official of the Public Health Department.
According to Vadivelan, the medical team will look out for persons with high fever and in confused state of mind, the symptoms of Nipah virus fever. Vadivelan said the doctors in the border districts have been given detailed guidelines on the symptoms of the disease and how to handle the patients.
'Two People Under Observation at Trivandrum Medical College': ANI
Other States Follow: Karnataka Health Department Puts 8 Districts on High Alert
According to a report in The Indian Express, after the first confirmed diagnosis of the virus from Kerala, Karnataka health department has put eight of its districts on high alert. These are Chamrajanagar, Mysuru, Kodagu, Dakshina Kannada, Uttara Kannada, Udupi, Shivamogga and Chikkamagaluru. The district administration and hospitals in these areas have been alerted.
“A circular issued by the Directorate of health and family welfare services says that an inter-departmental coordination committee meeting should be convened immediately including veterinary departments in all the eight districts.”
Kerala Police Cracking Down on People Spreading Fake News
The Hindu has reported that two suspected conspiracy theorists have been booked by the Kerala police on charges of creating mischief and spreading falsehood in the society. The accused had claimed that the reappearance of the virus in the state was an ‘elaborate hoax’ by pharmaceutical companies to increase demand for their products.
Integrated Disease Surveillance Program, Directorate of Health and Family Welfare Services, Karnataka, Issued a Circular for Nipah
Integrated Disease Surveillance Program, Directorate of Health and Family Welfare Services, Karnataka, issued a circular in the view of #NipahVirus infection in Kerala:
It is Possible To Survive Nipah, Says Doctor Treating the 23-Year-Old Man
In an interview with Livemint, Dr Anup R Warier, who is one of the doctors treating the infected man in Kochi, Kerala, has said that it is possible to survive the virus.
He said that people have survived Nipah in the past, so definitely it is possible. “In all these cases the survival is determined by three things. One, is there a medicine against the specific pathogen? Second, when there is an organ involvement, how can we medically support that organ function? Suppose the lungs deteriorate and need ventilator support. Third, the immune function of the patient is also very important. We are also giving ribavirin, an antiviral that has been tried on this.”
He also commended the efforts taken by the State and Central government along with the hospital staff in taking immediate measures, “One, there was a level of preparation since we already faced this last year. There was also constant interaction, briefing and addressing of concerns. The government has been very proactive and supportive.”
Ribavirin Tablets Are Being Given to the Patient Currently
According to ANI, Kerala Health Minister KK Shylaja has informed that Human Monoclonal Antibody (MAB) medicine will be made available by evening, and the patient is currently being given Ribavirin tablets.
The health authorities have permission from Central government as well as Indian Council of Medical Research to start the MAB medication if needed.
So Far, the Five People Kept in Isolation are Stable
The five people who had been kept in isolation wards at the Kalamassery Medical College Hospital, are stable and their health condition is ‘satisfactory’. Their blood samples have been sent for examination to National Institute of Virology in Pune, and the results are expected to be in tomorrow.
"Situation Gradually Improving": Health Minister
According to NDTV, Pinarayi Vijayan, Chief Minister of Kerala, has called for a meeting in Kochi tomorrow to take stock of the situation.
Health Minister KK Shylaja told reporters, "Good care is being given to the patient. The patient sometimes become restless due to fever...We expect a good result.”
Three Nurses & 311 People Who Had Interacted With The Man Under Observation
Health Minister KK Shylaja said that the man is stable, but three nurses who had treated him, and two other people have been kept under observation.
"The samples of the five (in isolation) have been send to various laboratories and the final result is expected either tomorrow or day after. The preliminary findings of these five, do not point to anything serious, but, we will wait till the final results come,” she said.
A total of 311 are currently under observation- but they are being observed at their homes by health officials.
The man continues to be treated at a ward at the Kalamassery hospital near here.
314 People Under Observation in Kerala, 7 Kept in Isloation
According to a CNN News18 report, 314 people have been kept under observation in Kerala and seven people have been kept in isolation ward.
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Published: 05 Jun 2019,11:25 AM IST