Research centre to be setup in Kozhikode for Nipah prevention: Minister Veena George

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Minister Veena George has announced that a research centre will be set up at the Kozhikode Medical College by integrating various departments under the 'One Health' project for Nipah prevention. With the Nipah virus incubation period over today, the minister will declare the district Nipah free at a ceremony to be held in Kozhikode today.

The minister also stated that ICMR has increased the collection and testing of bat samples from various districts.

Nipah deaths have also occurred in other states but have not been officially reported. ICMR points out that several factors such as climate change, rainfall variability are responsible for the presence of Nipah virus in Kerala. The reason for this has not been thoroughly investigated and how the virus spreads to humans has not been discovered. The virus can be transmitted by collection fruit or eating fruit bitten by a bat.

Rajiv Gandhi Biotechnology, Thonnakkal Virology Institute and Alappuzha NIV have received research permission to develop a vaccine against Nipah indigenously.

The minister said that hospitals do not provide expired medicines and the Leader of Opposition should not spread fear among the people because of the CAG report.

Presence of Nipah among bats in Wayanad

Presence of Nipah virus has been confirmed in bats in Wayanad district, Minister Veena George said. This is based on the study conducted by ICMR in bats in Sulthan Bathery and Mananthavady regions.