Avoid unnecessary hospital visits, health workers and patients should wear masks; Nipah contact list prepared

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Health Minister Veena George has stated that a contact list has been prepared following the confirmation of Nipah virus infection in a 57-year-old man who died at a private hospital in Palakkad. The deceased tested positive for Nipah through testing conducted at Manjeri Medical College. Contact tracing was immediately initiated to identify those who were in contact with the patient. So far, 46 people have been identified as part of his contact list. Information, including CCTV footage, has been collected, and based on the available data, a route map has been prepared. A family tree has also been prepared. Field-level operations have been intensified in the area, and fever surveillance is ongoing. Monitoring will be expanded using mobile tower location data as well. Further steps will be taken once confirmation is received from the National Institute of Virology, Pune. In light of the new case, the minister has directed that the response team be strengthened.

People in Palakkad and Malappuram districts are advised to avoid unnecessary hospital visits. It is recommended to limit visits to hospitalised friends and relatives as much as possible. Only one caretaker per patient is allowed. Health workers, patients, and bystanders must wear masks while at the hospital.

A total of 543 people are on the Nipah virus contact list. Among them, 46 are contacts of the newly reported case. The district-wise breakdown includes:

Malappuram: 208 people
Palakkad: 219 people
Kozhikode: 114 people
Ernakulam: 2 people

In Malappuram, 10 individuals are undergoing treatment, with 2 in the ICU. So far, 62 samples have tested negative in the district. In Palakkad, one person is under isolation treatment. A total of 36 people in the state are under “highest risk” surveillance, while 128 people are under the “high risk” category and are being monitored.

A high-level meeting was convened under the leadership of Health Minister Veena George. Attendees included the Additional Chief Secretary of the Health Department, the NHM State Mission Director, the Director of Health Services, the Director of Medical Education, Additional Directors, District Collectors, District Medical Officers, police officials, and representatives from various other departments.