New Delhi: A 24-year-old student died due to Nipah virus in Kerala’s Malappuram and 26 of the 175 contacts of the deceased person are in the high-risk category. In view of the same, Tamil Nadu has instructed all District Health Officers (DHOs) to remain vigilant and immediately report any suspected cases of Nipah (fever with altered sensorium, seizures, and/or headache within their jurisdiction).
Kerala Health Minister Veena George said, "We have found that the death of a student in Malappuram was due to Nipah virus. 26 of the 175* contacts of this person are in the high-risk category. 13 of the 26 persons have tested negative. We have started house surveillance. We have taken all measures to ensure that the virus is not spread. There are isolation bays for those found infected. We have requested ICMR for their help."
Tamil Nadu to enhance surveillance at Kerala border
It has been observed that a 24-year-old Male from Wandoor in Malappuram district, Kerala, died from Nipah infection on September 9. In this regard, all District Health Officers (DHOs) in Tamil Nadu are instructed to remain vigilant and immediately report any suspected cases of Nipah (fever with altered sensorium, seizures, and/or headache within their jurisdiction). Additionally, DHOs should sensitize both Government and Private medical practitioners, ensuring the timely notification of Acute Encephalitis Syndrome (AES) cases to the District Surveillance Officers via the IDSP-IHIP portal.
All DHOs, particularly in the Districts bordering Kerala (The Nilgiris, Combatore, Tiruppur, Theni, Tenkasi, and Kanniyakumari) are instructed to enhance surveillance for Nipah cases.
AES cases admitted from these districts, especially from Malappuram, should be closely followed and monitored.
Health teams should be deployed 24/7 at border check posts to screen all symptomatic individuals, using necessary protective equipment, particularly in the following bordering districts: The Nilgiris, Combatore, Tiruppur, Theni, Tenkasi and Kanniyakumari.