Kerala’s Health Minister Veena George declared on Friday that all four individuals including a nine-year-old child who were undergoing treatment for Nipah virus infection have successfully recovered and tested negative for the virus. This positive development comes as a relief after the state reported six cases of Nipah virus infection in Kerala’s Kozhikode district resulting in two tragic fatalities.
The Health Minister took to Facebook to share the news, stating, “I am pleased to inform you that four individuals including a nine-year-old boy who were receiving treatment for Nipah have now fully recovered from the infection and tested negative on two separate occasions.”
The nine-year-old boy is the son of Muhammad Ali, the index case, who tragically succumbed to the deadly virus on August 30. The second victim lost their life on September 11. However, as of the latest government data, no new Nipah cases have been reported and all five samples sent for laboratory testing have returned negative results.
With the absence of new cases, the Kozhikode District Administration has taken the decision to ease restrictions in containment zones within the district.
During a recent press briefing, Veena George revealed that the state government has committed to reinforcing the healthcare system to prevent future outbreaks. “We have initiated efforts to bolster ‘One Health’ activities in the district, providing training for these endeavors. ‘One Health’ signifies the collaboration of all relevant departments to ensure a well-coordinated response. Additionally, we have resolved to establish an institution that will facilitate this coordination, enabling year-round community surveillance,” she explained.
Minister George also highlighted that both the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and the World Health Organization (WHO) have conducted studies indicating that Kerala, along with eight other Indian states, is at risk of Nipah virus outbreaks.
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has announced plans to conduct a Seroprevalence study to comprehensively assess the prevalence of the Nipah virus in Kozhikode district, given its recurring presence. This proactive measure is part of the state’s commitment to ensuring the safety and well-being of its residents in the face of this deadly virus.
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