Speed Post News Network
New Delhi : A case of Nipah virus has been detected in Kozhikode district of Kerala. A suspected case of NIPAH, a 12 yr old boy, with features of encephalitis and myocarditis was reported on September 3, 2021, from Kozhikode district of Kerala.
The virus is spread by saliva of fruit bats. The boy was hospitalised and passed away on September 5, 2021, morning, according to a PIB release.
The Central Government has rushed a team of NCDC to Kerala, which will be reaching there on September 5, 2021. The team will provide technical support to the State.
The following immediate public health measures have been advised by the Centre:
1. Active case search in the family, families, village and areas with similar topography (especially Malappuram).
2. Active contact tracing (for any contacts) during past 12 days.
3. Strict quarantine of the contacts and isolation of any suspects.
4. Collection and transportation of samples for lab testing.
It may be recalled that in 2018 also, there was a Nipah outbreak in Kozhikode and Malappuram districts of Kerala.