Nipah Virus: Alert! Government issued warning and asked people to take necessary precautions before virus season begins

Nipah virus season likely to hit the Kerala state in the upcoming days. Therefore, the state government has issued an alert to all District Medical Officers (DMO) to advise everyone to follow the strict precautions ahead of the Nipah transmission season. Reportedly, the virus likely to affect the state from December to June.

Earlier, Nipah virus took the lives of 17 people in the state during its outbreak in Kozhikode and Malappuram districts in May 2018.

Dr V Meenakshi, Additional Director (Public Health), told PTI that they have alerted to DMOs asking all the government hospitals to keep all the necessary treatment for the virus and observe infection control practices strictly.

The circular has been signed by the Additional Chief Secretary (Health) Rajeev Sadanandan.

In the circular, he has asked the Director of Health Services and Director of Medical Education to warn the people about the virus and urge them not to eat the fruits bitten by bats and to consume food items after washing them properly.

It is also stated that the person who is having the cough problem should be kept to a ‘cough corner’ in the hospital, where a mask should be given to them. The circular also states that a separate warning will be issued on how to tackle with other emerging pathogens.

Check out some instructions given by the Kerala government to the public:

1. Do not food items or fruits bitten by bats.
2. Consume any fruits or vegetable items after washing them properly.
3. If suffering from a cough then use a mask.
4. Also, people suffering from a cough should use a towel and also cover their mouth before stepping out to the home.