On Tuesday, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan expressed deep concern about two “unusual fatalities” that occurred in Kozhikode and emphasized that the state government is taking them very seriously. He mentioned that the health department has issued an alert specifically for the Kozhikode district.
Health authorities suspect that the cause of these two “unusual fatalities” at a private hospital in Kozhikode might be related to Nipah virus infection.
In a video message shared on his Facebook page, the chief minister advised the public to be cautious and assured them that there is no need to panic. He mentioned that those who had close contact with the deceased individuals were already receiving medical treatment.
“There is nothing to worry about. Those who were in contact with the deceased are being traced and treated. Being careful is the key to tackling the situation. Everyone is requested to cooperate with the action plan prepared by the health department,” Chief Minister Vijayan said.
The Chief Minister also provided an update that surveillance operations in the affected area had commenced on Monday.
Additionally, Health Minister Veena George arrived in Kozhikode earlier today and conducted a meeting with local authorities. Furthermore, the Minister of the Public Works Department has also traveled to Kozhikode, as mentioned by Chief Minister Vijayan.
It’s important to note that the state government has not officially declared the outbreak of the Nipah virus at this time.
Two individuals lost their lives at a private hospital in Kozhikode, and the Kerala health department has reported that relatives of one of the deceased are currently in the hospital’s Intensive Care Unit (ICU). In response to this situation, the state health department has issued an alert for the district. The first death occurred on August 30, while the second occurred on Monday.
The Health Minister has instructed local healthcare workers to maintain a close watch in their respective areas. As a precautionary step, the Health Ministry has also ordered the establishment of an isolation facility at Kozhikode Medical College.
It’s worth noting that there was a previous Nipah virus outbreak in the Kozhikode and Malappuram districts in Kerala in 2018, and in 2021, a case of Nipah virus was reported in Kozhikode.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the Nipah Virus is transmitted by fruit bats and can potentially be fatal to both humans and animals. It is associated with symptoms such as respiratory problems, fever, muscle pain, headache, dizziness, and nausea.
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