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New Indian Express
3 hours ago
- New Indian Express
TN steps up border checks; partially shuts NH entry from Kerala amid Nipah cases
PALAKKAD: Following the confirmation of Nipah virus cases in Kerala, the authorities have ramped up health surveillance at all Kerala-Tamil Nadu border entry points. Acting swiftly on the directive of Coimbatore District Collector Pawan Kumar G Giriappanavar, the Tamil Nadu health department has enforced round-the-clock health screenings, including partial closure of the National Highway for inbound vehicles from Kerala. All vehicles entering Tamil Nadu from Kerala are being thoroughly screened before being allowed entry, with particular focus at the crucial Chavadi checkpoint. A special team comprising over 30 healthcare workers from Coimbatore, led by Special Medical Officer Dr R Prathibha and Madukkarai Health Inspector M G Rajkumar, along with Chavadi Police personnel, has been deployed for 24/7 border monitoring. The heightened alert follows the death of a native of Changaleeri in Mannarkkad, Palakkad district, who was confirmed to have shown symptoms consistent with the Nipah virus. With contact tracing intensifying across Palakkad and Malappuram, Tamil Nadu health officials have signalled the possibility of stricter measures in the coming days. As part of the immediate containment effort, the main National Highway route from Kerala to Coimbatore has been temporarily closed. Vehicles are being diverted through service roads after inspection. However, vehicles heading to Kerala from Tamil Nadu are not being subjected to checks. 'Thermal scanning and health screening are mandatory for all incoming passengers,' an official told the media.
New Indian Express
3 hours ago
- New Indian Express
Two primary Nipah cases spark major concern in Palakkad
PALAKKAD: The Nipah virus threat in the district has escalated significantly with the confirmation of two primary cases - a development that health officials describe as 'very rare' and 'a cause for concern'. One of the infected individuals, a 39-year-old woman from Kizhakkumpuram in Thachanattukara, remains under critical care at Kozhikode Medical College since July 4, while another patient, a 58-year-old man from Changaleeri in Kumaramputhur already succumbed to the virus on Saturday night. Authorities had sent samples from the deceased patient's son after he began exhibiting suspected symptoms on Sunday. The initial tests conducted on the 32-year-old at Malappuram Medical College turned positive for Nipah. However, the samples were subsequently sent to the National Institute of Virology (NIV) in Pune, where his latest test results have come back negative, according to a senior health department official. An official confirmation will be issued only after the Medical Board receives final verification from NIV Pune that all samples have tested negative. Meanwhile, Kumaramputhur grama panchayat president Rajan Ambadath told TNIE that both the District Collector's Office and the District Medical Officer (DMO) had informed him that the 32-year-old youth had tested positive for Nipah. 'They informed us about the test result and said they are in the process of preparing the patient's route map,' he said. 'We have also requested additional police deployment, as several people, including government employees, are still commuting for work from the containment zone,' he said. He also expressed concern over the lack of timely communication from authorities, stating that the local body is not being kept adequately informed.
Time of India
12 hours ago
- Time of India
Son of Nipah victim tests positive in Pkd
Palakkad: The son of the man, who died due to Nipah infection at Changaleeri in Palakkad, also turned positive, in the initial tests at Manjeri medical college, on Wednesday. The 32-year-old son was in close contact with his father during his hospitalisation. One patient from Thachannattukara is undergoing treatment at Kozhikode medical college, while a resident of Kumaramputhur passed away. Additionally, a sample from a patient with suspicious symptoms was sent for testing. Presently, seven people are in isolation at Palakkad govt medical college. A total of 385 people are on the contact list in the district. Of them, 178 are from Thachanattukara and 207 from Kumaramputhur. As part of Nipah prevention efforts, health workers conducted house visits and completed a fever survey in 1,568 homes on Wednesday. District mental health department provided counselling services to 51 people over the phone and the control cell received 42 calls related to Nipah virus spread. Meanwhile, the district medical officer (DMO) has directed that only after seeking expert advice by calling the Nipah control room should one proceed to Palakkad govt medical college for Nipah testing. To implement strict measures in containment zones, an online inter-departmental coordination meeting was held under the leadership of Ottapalam sub-collector Mithun Premraj. A team from National Institute of Virology collected samples from 150 bats and sent them to Pune for testing. The district animal observation team and Mannarkkad RRT collected samples from 9 cattle, 7 goats and a dog within 1km of the Nipah outbreak centre in Kumaramputhur, as reported by animal husbandry department. Since containment zone was declared, ration distribution was directly provided to a total of 872 families. Residents in the containment zone wards of Kumaramputhur, Karakurussi, Karimpuzha panchayats and Mannarkkad municipality must wear masks and avoid unnecessary gatherings, health department said. Police informed that strict monitoring and inspections are ongoing to prevent unnecessary entry and exit to and from these wards. Those who had any contact with the Nipah-confirmed deceased person in Kumaramputhur or those who recall being at the specified location at the time, should immediately inform the Nipah control room number. Residents in containment zones requiring non-critical hospital services can consult a doctor online via e-Sanjeevani. General office services are available from 9am to 5pm.
