Central Team reviews public health measures for Nipah Virus in Kerala

Speed Post News Network

New Delhi : Union Minister of Health and Family Dr Harsh Vardhan is closely monitoring the situation arising out of reported cases of Nipah Virus in Kerala.

“I urge the people not to panic as the Government is leaving no stone unturned to remedy the situation. I am personally reviewing the situation with the Health Minister of Kerala K  K Shailaja on a regular basis. Preeti Sudan, Secretary (HFW), and other senior officers are also in touch with their counterparts in the State for daily feedback and updates,” Dr Harsh Vardhan said.

The central team deployed in Kerala on the directions of Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare Dr. Harsh Vardhan had a meeting with the Health Minister of Kerala Ms K  K Shailaja, and also interacted with district collector of the affected district. The team also discussed categorisation of contacts into priority contacts (family contacts, HCW of health facilities) and plan SOPs for quarantine of symptomatic contacts, sample collection/testing and dedicated isolation facility with trained health staff for care of cases and epidemiological investigation by Multi disciplinary Central team to ascertain the possible source of infection, history of exposure (exposure to infected animals, primary or secondary). The team also stressed on the need for proper record keeping in district control room with daily sharing of information, according to a PIB release.