In the wake of the death of two persons due to Nipah virus infection at Balussery in Kozhikode district, a high-level meeting of officials and elected representatives held here on Friday decided to step up preventive measures in the region.
K. Ismail of Koottalida and Rasin Bhaskaran of Kottur grama panchayat, who had been undergoing treatment at the Balussery taluk hospital, had succumbed to the rare disease at the Kozhikode Government Medical College Hospital on May 20 and May 26 respectively.
Rasin had contracted the infection possibly from Ismail, a second source, officials said. It prompted the Health Department to include over 1,400 persons from various parts of the district in the contact list, officials said.
The meeting participated by Balussery legislator Purushan Kadalundi, District Collector U.V. Jose, and Director of Health Services R.L. Sarita decided to implement precautionary measures on the Balusssry hospital premises and across the local bodies in the region. That apart, personal hygiene would help prevent the disease. Campaigns would be rolled out at the Kottur grama panchayat, the meeting said. Free ration will be distributed to persons in the contact list who are unable to attend work. The District Collector would take steps in this regard such as preparing the list at the grama panchayat level, Mr. Kadalundi told the media.
He said that stern action would be initiated against those indulging in spreading fake messages through social media.
However, people had been advised to avoid, if possible, attending social gatherings and marriage functions, he added.
District Medical Officer V. Jayasree said that caregivers who had direct contact with the patients should stay away. If they experience any sort of symptoms, they should inform the helpline number 0495-2381000.
Steps have been taken to arrange ambulance services for the patients. Since the Kozhikode Government Medical College hospital was the main treatment centre for Nipah virus infected patients, it was decided to restrict the entry of other patients to the hospital.
Additional nurses will be deputed to take care of the patients under observation. Besides, medical teams would visit the regions to allay the fears of villagers at grama panchayats, Dr. Jayasree said.
Kottur grama panchayat president M.P. Sreeja, Balussery block panchayat vice president M. Chandran, Kozhikode Mental Health Centre Superintendent N. Rajendran, Kottur primary health centre officer K. Abdul Gafoor, representatives of political parties and health officials took part in the meeting.
