logo
675 on Nipah contact list across Kerala; health department steps up vigilance

675 on Nipah contact list across Kerala; health department steps up vigilance

PALAKKAD: A total of 675 individuals have been identified on the Nipah virus contact list across various districts in Kerala, says Health Minister Veena George.
Of these, 178 people are contacts of the second Nipah-positive patient from Palakkad, who died on Saturday night. District-wise, Malappuram has 210 contacts, Palakkad 347, Kozhikode 115, Ernakulam two and Thrissur one.
Currently, one person in Malappuram is undergoing treatment in the ICU, while 82 samples from the district have tested negative so far. In Palakkad, 12 people remain in isolation, while five have been discharged after observation.
Across the state, 38 individuals have been categorised under the 'highest risk' group and 139 under 'high risk', all under close surveillance.
On Tuesday, a high-level review meeting chaired by Minister Veena George was held to assess the situation.
Senior officials, including the Additional Chief Secretary of the Health Department, State Mission Director of the National Health Mission, Directors of Health and Medical Education, district collectors, district medical officers, police officials and representatives from various departments attended the meeting.
The health department has intensified monitoring and response mechanisms across affected districts to prevent any potential spread of the virus.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Nipah virus and Kerala: What is the connection?
Nipah virus and Kerala: What is the connection?

The Hindu

time5 hours ago

  • The Hindu

Nipah virus and Kerala: What is the connection?

Nipah virus is not new to Kerala: the State is experiencing it's eighth outbreak since 2018 this July. So far, there have been four confirmed cases: of these, two persons have died, while the other two remain hospitalised. A total of 675 people across the State are currently under observation, with 38 classified as being in the highest risk question that many have wondered about is: why Kerala? Why is it that this one State has seen multiple outbreaks of the deadly virus? What do we know about how it spills over from fruit bats to humans? And what can be done to contain it? Guest: Dr. Anoop Kumar A.S., director of critical care medicine at Aster North Kerala Cluster, who played a pivotal role in detecting the Nipah virus outbreak in the State in 2018 Host: Zubeda Hamid Edited by Sharmada Venkatasubramanian Listen to more In Focus podcasts:

NAT should be mandatory at all blood banks: Experts
NAT should be mandatory at all blood banks: Experts

Time of India

time10 hours ago

  • Time of India

NAT should be mandatory at all blood banks: Experts

New Delhi: Diagnosed with thalassemia at the age of two, a 23-year-old woman depended on blood transfusions every three weeks to stay alive. But when she was hospitalised with dengue in Class VIII, doctors discovered something more alarming - she was diagnosed as HIV-positive. "I wasn't recovering. After several tests, they told me I was HIV-positive. I suspect it came from a transfusion. If the blood was properly tested, maybe this wouldn't have happened," she said. Now living with both thalassemia and HIV, she depends not only on regular transfusions, but also on antiretroviral treatment. The woman's testimony at the roundtable on "Ensuring Safe Blood for All: Strengthening Blood Safety Practices", organised by the Thalassemia Patients Advocacy Group (TPAG) at India International Centre on Thursday, brought into sharp focus the urgent need to fix India's entire blood safety ecosystem. Experts at the event called for comprehensive reforms - from mandatory nucleic acid testing ( NAT ) at all blood banks to boosting voluntary blood donation and patient participation in policymaking. NAT, which detects HIV, Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C during the early infection "window period", is far more effective than standard tests, but is not yet mandatory across India. "Safe blood is not just about testing - it begins at the source," said Dr Sangeeta Pathak, secretary general of Indian Society of Blood Transfusion & Immunohematology (ISBTI) and head of Transfusion Medicine at Max Saket. "Voluntary, non-remunerated blood donation is key. Sri Lanka has achieved 100% voluntary donation. Why not India?" She called on both professionals and the public to take ownership. "We must talk about it, promote it, and strengthen the culture of safe, voluntary blood donation." Anubha Taneja Mukherjee, member secretary, TPAG, reminded participants that blood safety is a matter of human rights. "This isn't just a technical issue. It's about dignity, equity, and the right to safe, life-saving interventions." Public health advocate Prof Bejon Kumar Misra emphasised the need for transparency and accountability. "Safety is non-negotiable. People have a right to know what is being done - and what's not. Communication is critical. We need strategies that ensure no patient falls through the cracks." P C Sen, senior Supreme Court advocate, reiterated the state's legal obligation to ensure access to pathogen-free blood .

674 people on the Nipah contact list in Kerala
674 people on the Nipah contact list in Kerala

United News of India

time11 hours ago

  • United News of India

674 people on the Nipah contact list in Kerala

Thiruvananthapuram, July 18 (UNI) A total of 674 people are currently on the Nipah virus contact list across various districts in Kerala. Out of these, 131 are from Malappuram, 426 from Palakkad, 115 from Kozhikode, and one each from Ernakulam and Thrissur districts, Health Minister Veena George said. She said "84 people removed from the contact list after completing isolation. In Malappuram, 12 individuals are undergoing treatment in isolation." So far, 88 samples from the district have tested negative. After completing their isolation period, 81 people from Malappuram, two from Palakkad, and one from Ernakulam have been removed from the contact list. Currently, 17 people in Palakkad are under isolation treatment. Across the state, 32 individuals are under highest-risk surveillance, while 111 are in the high-risk category. The minister also directed the One Health Centre for Nipah Research to document all matters related to Nipah cases. An ICMR team visited Malappuram for inspection yesterday. A high-level meeting was convened under the leadership of Minister Veena George on Thursday. Officials including the NHM State Mission Director, Director of the Health Department, Director of Medical Education, Additional Directors, District Collectors, District Medical Officers, police officials, and officers from various departments participated in the meeting. UNI DS RKM

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store