KOZHIKODE: A contagious fever caused by Nipah virus (NiV) has claimed at least 10 lives in Kozhikode and Malappuram districts of Kerala over the last fortnight. Six more people succumbed to the suspected virus on Sunday. On Monday morning, a nurse succumbed due to the virus taking the toll to 10. A high-level central team will visit the district soon and inspect areas where the disease has been reported.
It is the first detection in Kerala of the Nipah virus which has a high fatality rate and spreads mainly through bats, pigs and other animals. Its symptoms include fever, vomiting, headache and respiratory problems. Rajeev Sadanandan, additional chief secretary, department of health & family welfare, said that the virus was confirmed in tests conducted at National Virology Institute, Pune, on samples of the three deceased from a family. "We will now treat all persons presenting similar symptoms as potential Nipah-infected cases as part of disease surveillance," Sadanandan said.
He said that the department has not been able to ascertain the extent of the spread of the disease as the virus has an incubation period of four to 18 days. Health workers have been asked to take the highest level of protection while handling patients.
The health department has activated precautionary measures and issued an alert to the public. "As the primary host of Nipah virus is fruit bats, the disease control and containment strategy include asking people to desist from eating bat eaten fruits. Also, the district collector has been asked to stop toddy tapping in the area as toddy can become contaminated with saliva or bat urine. Pigs too can serve as intermediate hosts of the virus and as per reports there are many pig farms in the area and steps have been taken in that regard," Sadanandan said.
A district-level special task force headed by district collector has been formed to coordinate precautionary steps and disease management activities.
