Two health workers show symptoms of Nipah, 20 to be shifted to separate wards, opens call center

KOZHIKODE: Two health workers have been confirmed of nipah virus soon after a 12-year-old boy in Kozhikode died due to the disease. The two came in contact with the dead boy. Health Minister Veena George said that a health worker of a private hospital and the other of Kozhikode Medical College have the symptoms.

The boy was first taken to a private clinic when he had fever. He came in contact with nine here. After that went to another private hospital and came in contact with more than seven people. Went to another private hospital again. From there he was taken to Kozhikode Medical College. Later was taken to a private hospital in Kozhikode. The minister said 188 people included in the contact list have been already identified and 20 of them are in high risk category. They will be taken to the separate wards set at the medical college by 4 pm, the minister said. The pay ward block of Kozhikode Medical College has been reserved for nipah treatment.

A special call center has also been opened for Nipah. The numbers are 0495 2382500 and 0495 2382800. A control room has been opened around the guest house.

A point of care examination will be conducted at the Kozhikode Medical College by tomorrow evening for those under observation. A special team from Pune Institute of Virology will reach the district. The minister said that if the tests turn positive, a confirmatory test will be conducted.

The boy confirmed of nipah hails from Mavoor in Kozhikode. A strict control has been imposed within the radius of three-kilometers. Vigilance has been issued in nearby areas and in the neighboring districts of Malappuram and Kannur. The boy, who was undergoing treatment for Nipah, died this morning.