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Time of India
5 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
3 acute flaccid paralysis cases reported in Sambhajinagar
Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar: Health authorities in Phulambri taluka have diagnosed three children from a local hamlet with Acute Flaccid Paralysis (AFP). The children — aged two-and-a-half, nine and 11 years old, rapidly developed weakness and reduced muscle strength. After initial treatment at a local hospital, the children were transferred to a private hospital in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar on Saturday. District health officer Dr. Abhay Dhanorkar said while all three are confirmed cases of AFP, the underlying cause could be polio, Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS), or another post-viral infection. "An 11-year-old boy has already tested negative for GBS and is recovering," he said. "The lab results for the other two children are still pending. As part of a thorough investigation, stool samples from all three children have been sent to the National Institute of Virology (NIV) in Pune for further analysis," he added. Health authorities have also been collecting samples of drinking water in the village Mauje Khambatvasti for lab testing. "We have collected water samples from the homes of the three children and neighbouring houses. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Many Are Watching Tariffs - Few Are Watching What Nvidia Just Launched Seeking Alpha Read More Undo Also, mass screening of villagers is being carried out," Dhanorkar said. "The hamlet has a population of around 400, and nobody has reported major health complaints so far,"he added. According to the health authorities, the nine-year-old boy first developed weakness and reduced muscle strength on July 12, following which his family consulted with the local doctors. Later, another 11-year-old boy complained of similar health issues on July 16, and another 2.5-year-old suffered similar conditions the following day.
New Indian Express
17-07-2025
- Health
- 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
16-07-2025
- Health
- 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.
The Hindu
16-07-2025
- Health
- The Hindu
One more suspected Nipah case reported in Palakkad
One more suspected Nipah case was reported in the district on Wednesday, prompting health officials to take swift action to prevent the spread of the virus. The State has seen a recent surge in Nipah cases with four infections being reported in less than three weeks from adjoining districts of Palakkad and Malappuram. In the latest case, the son of a 58-year-old man from Kumaramputhur who succumbed to the deadly virus at Moulana Hospital, Perinthalmanna, on Saturday last, was found Nipah positive in the initial test done at Government Medical College Hospital laboratory at Manjeri. Health Minister Veena George said that further tests would be conducted for final confirmation. However, health officials on Wednesday began tracing the people who had contacted the infected person in the last couple of weeks. She said a route map of the infected person was prepared and counter measures were in full swing the prevent the spread of the virus. 'He was on the contact list of the person who died of Nipah and was in isolation. His family tree was also prepared. We will ensure that his family gets utmost psychological support and care,' said Ms. George. The Minister said that 723 people across the State were under observation for Nipah. As many as 51 were identified as contacts of the latest person who tested positive during the initial investigation. While 212 people are in quarantine in Malappuram district, 394 people in Palakkad are under observation, said Ms. George. In Kozhikode, 114 people are in isolation when Ernakulam district has two and Thrissur one in isolation. The Minister said that 10 persons in isolation are under treatment in Malappuram and seven in Palakkad. She said 84 samples tested negative in Malappuram so far. Palakkad district has so far reported three Nipah cases including the suspected one. When one affected person succumbed to the virus, two are currently under treatment. Health workers visited 1,568 houses in Nipah reported area at Kumaramputhur on Wednesday and completed their fever survey. The number calls reaching the Nipah control cell saw an increase on Wednesday. Officials said they got 42 calls, the largest on a single day. The samples of 150 bats collected by a team of scientists from the National Institute of Virology (NIV), Pune, were sent for testing. The district animal husbandry officials too collected animal samples from within a kilometre radius of the Nipah infected person. District Supply Officer said here on Wednesday that direct ration supply was ensured for 872 families within the containment zone. District Collector G. Priyanka warned people in containment zones against crowding and moving out without masks. The Nipah control room can be reached round the clock at 0491 2504002. For counselling, people can reach out to 75109 05080.
Hans India
16-07-2025
- Health
- Hans India
Kerala: 32-year-old man tests positive for Nipah
Palakkad: A 32-year-old man on Wednesday tested positive for Nipah and is currently under treatment at the Palakkad Medical College hospital. Notably, his father recently passed away and was Nipah positive. The test results came out on Wednesday. The test was done at a centre in Malappuram district. Generally, all samples are first tested and then sent to the National Institute of Virology (NIV) and the authorities are now waiting for that result too. This is the third case being registered in Palakkad. A woman from there is being treated at the Kozhikode Medical College hospital. Currently, there are 374 people in the district who are under constant medical observation. The authorities have now identified three village councils in the districts and four wards in Mannarakad area which have been converted into high risk areas and some areas have been converted into containment zones. The local health and police officials are on high alert and are leaving nothing to chance as multiple teams of health workers are conducting door-to-door visits to monitor symptoms and educate residents on preventive measures. The use of face masks has been made mandatory for patients, caregivers, and healthcare personnel. As a precautionary measure, at present Malappuram, Kozhikode, Ernakulam, Thrissur, Kannur, and Wayanad districts are on alert. Earlier on Wednesday, a tense moment was witnessed when a local resident lost his cool after he was stopped by two police officials who were on duty in a containment area. Angered by the way the police personnel behaved with him, a brawl broke out between them and, after intervention by others, peace finally prevailed. Health authorities continue to stress the need for vigilance, early detection, and adherence to safety protocols to prevent further transmission of the zoonotic virus, believed to be spread by fruit bats.
