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Nipah in Kerala: 5 cases; 700 people on contact list, 77 high-risk | 10 points

Nipah virus prevention: Containment zones have been declared, the route maps of the two deceased have been published for people to avoid.

Nipah containment zone in Kozhikode: The Nipah virus can spread to humans through infected humans, infected animals and fruits. (REUTERS)

A 24-year-old health worker who came into close contact with a Nipah patient tested positive on Wednesday taking the total number of positive cases in the state to five. As the state government has announced containment zones and restrictions to stop the spread of the virus, the contact list of the patients has become a reason for worry as 700 people have come into contact of the patients. Out of these 700, about 77 are in the high-risk category, Kerala health minister Veena George said.

Nipah outbreak in Kerala: Here are the latest updates

1. The high-risk Nipah patients have been asked to remain inside their houses. The routes of the two Nipah patients who died have been published so that people don’t take those routes.

2. In Kozhikode, restrictions have been imposed banning the gathering of a large number of people at festivals, and functions.

3. 58 wards across nine panchayats in Vadakara taluk of Kozhikode district have been declared as containment zones. Essential services and only entry and exit are allowed in these areas. Shops selling essential goods will be allowed to function from 7am to 5pm. No time bar has been given for pharmacies and health centres.

Buses or vehicles plying on national highways through the containment zones should not stop in the affected areas.

4. A nine-year-old boy is suffering from the infection in Kozhikode and the government has ordered monoclonal antibody from ICMR to treat the child. There is no clinical proof that it works against Nipah but this is the only available treatment. The boy is on ventilator support.

5. Around 700 people came into contact of the patients and 76 of them are high risk. The minister said they are all stable.

6. While the outbreak this time took place in Kozhikode, minister Veena George said the entire Kerala is prone to getting such infections according to WHO and ICMR studies.

Source: https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/nipah-in-kerala-5-cases-700-people-on-contact-list-77-high-risk-10-points-101694650826882.html

Nipah Virus In Kerala: 2 Dead, 9-Yr-Old Among 2 Others Infected In Kozhikode. Epicentres Identified

Nipah Virus Deaths: Two people in Kerala’s Kozhikode district died after being infected by the Nipah virus while two out of four suspected have been found to be positive for the infection.

Photo of a medical college after the Nipah virus alert, in Kozhikode, Tuesday, Sept. 12, 2023. ( Image Source : PTI )

Nipah Virus Deaths: The Kerala government confirmed on Tuesday that two unnatural fatalities in Kozhikode district were caused by the Nipah virus infection amid concerns about the resurgence of the deadly pathogen. The southern state is on alert as two cases of Nipah virus have been confirmed among four individuals whose saliva was sent for testing at the National Institute of Virology (NIV) in Pune. Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan confirmed the cases via a Facebook post.

He revealed that two individuals tested positive for Nipah, while the other two received negative results.

In response, he urged the public to remain calm and focus on precautionary measures.

“Everyone should strictly follow the instructions of the health department and the police and fully cooperate with the restrictions,” said Chief Minister Vijayan, emphasising the importance of adherence to health guidelines.

Source: https://news.abplive.com/kerala/union-health-minister-mansukh-mandaviya-confirms-two-nipah-virus-deaths-kerala-know-details-1629286

Nipah alert sounded in Kerala after two ‘unnatural’ deaths: All you need to know

The first-ever Nipah virus outbreak in south India was reported from Kozhikode and Malappuram districts in 2018.

Deaths due to Nipah virus infection were reported in Kozhikode district in 2018 and 2021.(PTI FILE)

The Kerala health department on Monday night sounded a health alert in Kozhikode after two people who died due to “unnatural” deaths in the district were suspected to have been infected with the Nipah virus (NiV). According to state health minister Veena George, the relatives of one of the deceased are also admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), reported news agency PTI.

The two deceased were admitted at a private hospital in the Kozhikode district, said reports.

Earlier on Monday, the state health minister held a high-level meeting and reviewed the situation in the district.

All you need to know about the Nipah virus and the outbreak in Kerala:

The first-ever Nipah virus outbreak in south India was reported from Kozhikode and Malappuram districts in 2018. The district has since witnessed another massive outbreak in 2021.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), Nipah virus infection is a zoonotic illness that is transmitted via animals to humans, and can also be transmitted via contaminated food or directly between people and is caused by fruit bats. The virus is not only fatal for humans, but for animals as well. The virus can also cause severe disease in animals such as pigs, resulting in significant economic losses for farmers, WHO said.
Although the Nipah virus has caused only a few known outbreaks in Asia, it infects a wide range of animals and causes severe disease and death in people, the WHO said on its website.

Source: https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/nipah-alert-sounded-in-kerala-after-two-unnatural-deaths-all-you-need-to-know-101694479958878.html

Number of dengue cases in Kolkata has doubled in about a fortnight

The number of dengue cases in Kolkata has doubled in about a fortnight, figures shared by some officials of the Kolkata Municipal Corporation over the last month have shown.

There has been a corresponding rise in hospital admissions too, senior officials and doctors of private healthcare units in Kolkata said.

A KMC official said on Saturday that till the last count, about 1,400 dengue infections have been reported since January. KMC updates the number of dengue infections in the city every Thursday.

The Telegraph had reported earlier that about 700 dengue cases were reported till the second week of August.

Neither the KMC nor the state health department released any official data on the number of dengue infections, but some officials shared with The Telegraph the number of dengue infections on condition of anonymity. There is no official data on the number of people who have died of dengue, but several deaths from dengue have come to light.

KMC officials admitted on Saturday and Sunday that the numbers have seen a sharp rise in the last two weeks.

“We are going door-to-door telling people that they should not allow water to accumulate anywhere in their house. We are also detecting and destroying sites for mosquito breeding. We are also cleaning abandoned vacant plots as they turn into sites for mosquito breeding,” said a KMC official.

Source: https://www.telegraphindia.com/my-kolkata/news/number-of-dengue-cases-in-kolkata-has-doubled-in-about-a-fortnight/cid/1963583

Himachal Pradesh reports five deaths from 732 scrub typhus cases

As many as 732 persons tested positive for scrub typhus while five deaths due to disease have been reported in Himachal Pradesh so far this year.

The Health Department has braced up tackle scrub typhus a rickettsial disease effectively.

National Health Mission, Mission Director Sudesh Mokta informed that till now 5218 tests have been conducted in the state, out of which 723 people were found positive and 5 people died due to the disease.

“Keeping in mind the current situation, all the Chief Medical Officers and Senior Medical Superintendents of the state have been asked to ensure proper storage of medicines,” he said, adding that it has also been asked to conduct comprehensive information, education and communication activities along with appropriate management for prevention and treatment of scrub typhus.

A spokesperson of the Health Department said that scrub typhus is a seasonal zoonotic (animal borne disease), generally the number of patients with high fever increases during the rainy season.

Most cases of which occur during the rainy season, which coincides with hay cutting and apple season.

“This disease is spread by the bite of a flea (mite) infected with a special bacteria (Rickettsia). This bacteria enters the body through the skin and causes scrub typhus fever. If a person is suffering from fever along with pain and shivering in the joints or there are cramps, stiffness in the body or the body feels as if it is broken and also has lumps in the neck, under the arms and above the hips due to excessive infection, then immediately the person needs to consult the nearest doctor,” said the spokesperson.

The spokesperson urged the general public to cover their entire body, especially their legs, feet and arms while working in the fields and bushes.

Source: https://www.thestatesman.com/india/himachal-pradesh-reports-five-deaths-from-732-scrub-typhus-cases-1503217402.html

Delhi Battles Worst Dengue Outbreak in 5 Years; Govt. Issues Advisory To Curb Spread

In response to this alarming situation, the Delhi government has taken proactive measures to curb the virus’s spread, facing the highest dengue tally in five years with 187 reported cases until July 22.

As the dengue virus continues to spread, Delhi faced its highest dengue tally in five years, with 187 reported cases until July 22. In response to this alarming situation, the Delhi government has taken proactive measures to curb the virus’s spread. Health Minister Saurabh Bhardwaj announced a series of campaigns to educate schools and the public about dengue prevention.

Dengue, a viral infection transmitted through the bite of infected mosquitoes, has been a growing concern in the capital city. The government plans to make hospitals fully prepared to handle dengue cases to bolster its response. Discussions have been held with the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) to coordinate efforts in tackling the outbreak.

The fear of a potential dengue outbreak arose amid the recent flood-like situation in Delhi due to the overflowing of the Yamuna River caused by incessant monsoon rains in hilly regions.

Genome sequencing of positive samples revealed that the prevalent strain is type-2, known for its severity and risks to patients. In light of this, the government has increased fines for mosquito breeding to discourage the spread of the virus. The 1031 helpline, previously dedicated to Covid-19 cases, will also address dengue-related concerns.

Source : https://www.timesnownews.com/delhi/delhi-battles-worst-dengue-outbreak-in-5-years-govt-issues-advisory-to-curb-spread-article-102251045