Centre with urgent instructions for prevention of Nipah; special team to Kerala; four emergency public health measures

NEW DELHI: As more Nipah deaths are reported in Kerala, the Centre has issued urgent instructions to the state. The Union Health Ministry has directed four emergency public health measures, including tracing of active cases and contact list. It has also been decided to appoint a central team for Nipah prevention work. A central team comprising members from the Union Health Ministry's 'One Health Mission' is being deployed.

The Ministry of Health has directed to immediately ascertain whether there are active patients in the family of the 14-year-old native of Malappuram who died due to Nipah, in the neighbourhood and in areas with similar topography to the area where Nipah was found. The Union Health Ministry has asked the state to test the 14-year-old's contact list up to 12 days before he was confirmed to have Nipah and prevent the spread of the virus.

The Union Health Ministry has directed the immediate collection of information about those who have been in contact with the patient and those who are suspected to have been in contact with the patient and arranged for their fluids to be tested for infection. Those on the contact list are advised to be quarantined and those with suspected symptoms to be evacuated. The Ministry also stated that ICMR has sent antibodies for Nipah vaccine as per the request of the state government.