THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: From the Chief Minister of the state to cleaning staffs, Kerala joins hands to fight off Nipah. Health Minister K.K. Shailaja is camping at Kochi to organize.

The medical sector is aware of the lessons taught by the Nipah outbreak in Kozhikode last year that claimed 17 lives. The government is taking good, matured actions without creating panic amongst the public. Within hours of the Nipah doubt, necessary resistance steps were implemented.

A high alert was declared in Ernakulam, Thrissur, Idukki and Kollam district and other districts are advised to stay alert. Over 300 people who came in contact with the patient is kept under observation. Kochi Medical College has been urgently equipped with systems to tackle the situation. Expert doctors with the experience of handling Nipah outbreak in Kozhikode has been brought to Kochi. The government has eliminated the possibilities of an outbreak.

All government and private hospitals have prepared to defend any situation. Isolation wards have been prepared at all Medical Colleges. Private hospitals are directed to transfer those symptoms to govt hospitals. Teams of doctors with expert training are ready in all districts. Special wards have been prepared at taluk and district hospitals. Rapid action team with police, revenue, fire brigade, and health department officers has been prepped. Special outfits have been made compulsory for people treating the patient. An expert team of six landed in Kochi with medicines. Permission has been sought to use Australian medicine.