Boost infection control to avoid viral outbreaks: expert

Expert suggests raising awareness on sanitation

An elderly couple visiting the Kozhikode Medical College on Saturday for consultation; (right) Abdul Ghafur.

Even as the health authorities seem to have succeeded in containing a possible “second wave” of Nipah virus infection, an expert has said that strengthening infection control mechanisms in healthcare institutions will go a long way in controlling the outbreak of viral diseases in the future.

Abdul Ghafur, member, National Antibiotic and Infection Control Policy Technical Advisory Committee, told The Hindu that creating awareness about community sanitation was important.

He was part of a team that assisted the Health Department in detecting the outbreak of the Nipah virus infection and putting in place guidelines for treatment and ongoing surveillance measures.

As a long-term measure to avoid recurrence of a similar situation, Dr. Ghafur said, infection control mechanisms in private and public hospitals should be stepped up. Drug-resistant bacteria are very common in healthcare institutions. Healthcare workers should take proper precautionary measures so that they do not stand a chance of acquiring and transmitting viral or bacterial infection. The public should visit hospitals only if it is necessary as there is a possibility of visitors acquiring infection from the patients or premises and visitors introducing infections to the patients.

National policy

Dr. Ghafur, adjunct professor, Apollo Hospitals, Chennai, said it was high time Kerala implemented the national policy on antibiotic usage and infection control measures. The government had reportedly prepared a draft State policy and the process of data collection was on. He suggested that the draft policy be released for public consultation and people’s suggestions be included in the final policy.

Dr. Ghafur suggested that raising community awareness of sanitation was another core area.“Malayalis generally are very keen on ensuring personal hygiene. But our public places and water bodies are found to be filthy and full of garbage. In the monsoon season, this becomes a breeding ground for different types of viral diseases such as dengue fever, and chikungunya,” said Dr. Ghafur.