Girl in Kozhikode dies of fever, West Nile suspected

KOZHIKODE: It is suspected that the girl from Beypur died of West Nile fever. The girl died on May 13 while undergoing treatment at the medical college. Confirmation will only be possible after test results from the National Institute of Virology, Pune. Previously, West Nile fever had been reported in the Kozhikode, Malappuram, Thrissur and Palakkad districts.

Earlier, there were five cases in Kozhikode. Currently, three cases have been reported within Kozhikode Corporation limits, with one case each in Nanmanda and Koodaranji. One person each has died of fever in Thrissur and Palakkad. West Nile fever is not contagious and is spread by Culex mosquitoes.

Meanwhile, Minister Veena George suggested that all departments should work in coordination due to the possibility of different types of communicable diseases arising from the heatwave and subsequent summer rains. The minister gave the directive during a high-level meeting with district officials.

Proper cleaning operations should be carried out with the cooperation of local bodies. Sanitation should be ensured in public accommodations and hostels as per the Kerala Public Health Act. Wells and drinking water sources should be cleaned and food safety checks will be strengthened. It is important to ensure that the water in schools is clean. The treatment protocol should be strictly followed and special fever clinics will be started in hospitals.

Isolation beds should be arranged. Hospitals should assess their drug stocks and ensure availability. The minister also instructed that stock levels should be monitored and reported before they fall below 30 percent.

Action will be taken against those who do not comply with the Kerala Public Health Act. It is the responsibility of those in charge to keep public water sources clean, which should be chlorinated at regular intervals. People with jaundice should rest for six weeks to avoid secondary infections. Strengthening awareness activities was also directed. Campaigns should be organized to create public awareness including mic announcements in panchayats.

State-level and district-level meetings have been held to implement precautionary measures against epidemics. Diseases such as dengue, rabies and hepatitis (hepatitis-A) are mostly reported. The minister also directed that strong preventive measures should be taken with the approaching rainy season.