THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Minister Veena George informed that in the situation of the Nipah virus being confirmed in Kozhikode district, a state-level control room has been started in the health department directorate. Apart from the control room functioning in Kozhikode district, nodal officers have also been appointed in other districts and phone numbers have also been made available for the public to contact. State Control Room was started for state-level coordination in addition to this. The number 0471 2302160 will be available from 10 am to 6 pm for enquiries. The Minister also stated that for query resolution, DISHA toll-free numbers 1056, 104 and 0471 2552056 can be contacted 24 hours a day.

A high-level meeting of the health department was held under the leadership of the minister as part of preventive measures. Districts have been given guidelines related to Nipah disease, activities have been reviewed and necessary instructions have been given. A Rapid Response Team consisting of expert doctors from the Medical College, officials from the Health Department, Animal Husbandry and Forest Department, Drug Controller, Food Safety Commissioner, State Public Health Lab and Alappuzha National Institute of Virology also joined the meeting.

It has been directed to set up a dedicated ambulance and isolation ward in every district to shift suspected Nipah virus patients to hospitals in case of need, special triage for those with influenza symptoms, and to ensure the availability of materials including PPE kits. KANIV-108 Ambulance service has also been ensured. Along with this, special teams will be formed at the state level and in all districts for surveillance and testing, logistics, training, awareness and psychological support.

It has been informed that ICMR's mobile lab will be working from tomorrow afternoon along with Kozhikode Viral Research and Diagnostic Lab for preliminary testing of samples of suspected patients. Training for District Surveillance Officers, Medical Officers, Health Supervisors, Health Inspectors, Paramedical Staff and Nursing Assistants in all districts regarding Nipah disease is being conducted under the leadership of Kerala State Institute of Health and Family Welfare. The minister informed that awareness materials related to this have been made available on the websites and Facebook pages of the Health Department and Arogya Kerala.