Following the Covid-19 epidemic, the Nipah Virus (NiV) virus reported from Kozhikode, Kerala, has garnered international interest. Kerala saw previous outbreaks in 2018, 2019, and 2021. In each of these situations, the state’s public health system responded quickly and successfully contained the epidemics. After no new case related to the Nipah virus emerged in Kozhikode, Kerala lifted containment zone restrictions.
Kerala Lifted Kozhikode Containment Zone Restrictions
The Kerala government has relaxed the containment zone restrictions in the northern district as there have been no new Nipah cases recorded in Kozhikode since September 16. According to District Collector A Geetha’s post on Facebook on Tuesday, all schools situated in the areas that fell under containment zones would be opened, and regular classes would start on Wednesday.
The collector cautioned people to remain vigilant against the sickness, maintain social distancing, use masks, and use hand sanitiser. All academic institutions in the district were shuttered when the viral epidemic was declared in the state on September 12 and classes were delivered online. When visiting their respective educational institutions, pupils were also instructed by the district administration to carry hand sanitiser and wear masks.
Also Read: Kerala Witnesses 4th Outbreak Of Nipah Virus Since 2018; Records 4 Cases & 2 Deaths
6 Verified Cases In The State
There have been six verified cases of the Nipah virus, and two of them have resulted in fatalities. While the second fatality was reported on September 11, the first death occurred on August 30. As of September 24, 915 people were under observation, according to health officials. However, none of them belonged to the high-risk group. Moreover, 377 samples had been analysed up to that point, and 363 of those tests had returned negative results.
When an outbreak of neurological and respiratory disease on pig farms in peninsular Malaysia resulted in 265 human cases, including 108 fatalities, the first cases of Nipah virus infection were discovered in 1998. The following year, 1999, saw the isolation and one million pigs were killed as a result of this pandemic. When these pigs imported from the affected Malaysian farms, there were 11 cases, including one fatality, in Singapore.
Also Read: India To Procure Nipah Virus Anitibody, Schools Will Be Closed; Here Are The Latest Updates
The Centres for Disease Control and Prevention have designated the Nipah virus as a Category C agent.
Cover Image Courtesy: Wikimedia
First Published: September 27, 2023 6:49 PM