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Kozhikode: People wear safety masks as a precautionary measure after the 'Nipah' virus outbreak, at Kozhikode Medical College, in Kerala, on Friday. (PTI Photo)(PTI5_25_2018_000112B)[/caption]
Kozhikode (Kerala), May 25 (IANS): Kerala Health Minister K.K. Shailaja on Friday said that things were under control vis-a-vis the containment of Nipah virus and that the WHO had stepped in to help the coastal state. “There need be no fear or panic as just one patient tested positive out of 22 samples send for testing in the past two days. All other cases reported negative. Things are under control,” Shailaja told the media here.
She said that the World Health Organisation had helped procure medicines from Australia to treat Nipah virus patients. “The first batch of 50 doses of medicines have already arrived and will be given to patients undergoing treatment,” the Minister said.
“All arrangements are in place to take care of medical professionals engaged in treating the patients. WHO officials have complimented the Health Department for being able to identify Nipah virus cases very quickly,” Shailaja added. The Nipah virus affected Kozhikode and Malappuram districts, where around 200 patients suffering from fever have been kept under observation.
Nipah virus is transmitted to humans through infected fruit bats, pigs or other Nipah-infected persons.