Karnataka issues Nipah guidelines; Intensifies surveillance on Kerala borders

KOZHIKODE: The Karnataka government has issued guidelines after the Nipah virus was confirmed in Kerala. Surveillance has been intensified in the border districts. Chamarajanagar, Mysuru, Kodagu and Dakshina Kannada districts, which share the border with Kerala, have been alerted. People have been advised to avoid travelling to Nipah-affected areas. There is currently no ban on travel from Kerala. The order was issued by the Commissionerate of Health and Family Welfare Karnataka.

The temperature of passengers arriving from Kerala will be checked. If symptoms are present, samples will be sent for testing. Cargo transportation is going smoothly. Isolation wards have been opened in government medical colleges and district-taluk hospitals in Karnataka. Additionally, ten beds have been reserved for those with Nipah symptoms. The order of Health Department Principal Secretary T K Anilkumar also stated to ensure the reserve of oxygen cylinders.

Meanwhile, the Tamil Nadu Health Department had earlier directed strict surveillance in all the districts that share the border with Kerala. The government has directed the deputy directors of the health department and heads of local bodies in Tamil Nadu to report any type of epidemic immediately. Surveillance has been intensified at the state borders.