Even as Kerala was struggling to contain the rise inCovid-19 cases, the death of a 12-year-old boy on Sunday, who was detected withNipah virus disease, has triggered panic in the state and complicated matters forthe Pinarayi Vijayan government.
The boy was from Kozhikode and he breathed his last at aprivate hospital.
It is learnt that the boy had recently recovered fromCovid and was taken to the hospital after the fever did not subside. He wasreportedly admitted at the Kozhikode Medical College and later shifted to theprivate hospital on September 1.
The Union Health Ministry has deputed a team of doctorsand other specialists to conduct a detailed study on the disease and thesurroundings. The team is expected to reach Kozhikode on Sunday morning.
Northern Kerala, including Malappuram, Kozhikode, andKannur districts, are on high alert.
State Health Minister Veena George said, "There isno need to panic, the government has put the health system in place. Three-bodyfluid samples taken from the boy were tested positive from the NationalVirology Lab, Pune. No one from his immediate family or neighbourhood has shownany symptoms and no need to panic."
The health department, according to sources, has put fiveimmediate relatives of the deceased boy, and 12 others who have interacted withhim, under observation.
The health minister convened a virtual meeting onSaturday night with doctors and other health department officials andarrangements have been put in place for a special Nipah ward at KozhikodeMedical College Hospital.
State works minister P.A. Mohammed Riyas and TransportMinister A.K. Saseendran are in Kozhikode to coordinate the activities of thedepartment, and the health minister is expected to reach the city on Sundaymorning.
It may be noted that there was a Nipah outbreak inKozhikode and Malappuram districts of Kerala in 2018. On May 2, 2018, the Nipahvirus was first detected in a person at Perambra hospital in Kozhikode districtand was later shifted to the Kozhikode Medical College where he passed away.The outbreak led to 17 deaths and it was finally declared as contained on June10, 2018.
The detection of Nipah virus and subsequent deaths inKozhikode and Malappuram districts of Kerala has led to the revival of WorldHealth Organisation's Nipah Drugs Trial group which was led by Dr. SoumyaSwaminathan.