New Delhi, May 23 (UNI) With the death toll in the Nipah Virus disease rising to 11, a
Central team dispatched to Kerala on Wednesday held intensive meetings with the District
Collector, Kozhikode to review the situation and discussed streamlining the reporting mechanism
and strengthening inter-sectoral coordination.
The expert Central Technical team visited the Government Medical College, Kozhikode and reviewed
the treatment procedure, infection control practises and availability of personal protective equipment
(PPE) and drugs in the designated wards. Simulation exercise for healthcare staff was undertaken as
per the Action Plan developed.
Among the decisions taken were to provide separate ambulances for transportation of the patients
to designated isolation facilities, an official release here said.
Of the 11 deaths due to Nipah, eight were reported from Kozhikode district and three from Malappuram
district.
At today's meeting, the interim guidelines, case definitions, advisories to healthcare workers and
information to the general public were shared. Advisories were issued for sample collection and
transportation also.
According to available reports, a total of 13 confirmed cases have been reported in Kerala. The
number of suspected cases has been put at 16 (of which 15 were admitted to Government Medical
College, Kozhikode and one in Manjeri Medical College in Malappuram District. The lab results of
these admissions are awaited.
Detailed discussions were held on the clinical picture, management and treatment given to the
patients along with contact tracing strategy on Tuesday between the expert Central technical team
at its meetings with the State Health Minister and doctors of government as well as private hospitals.
A part of the team led by Dr S K Singh, Director, NCDC visited Malappuram district where they
addressed doctors from the government and private hospitals on the Nipah virus disease. Along with the State
Health Minister, the team also interacted with the general public to create awareness and allay fears
in their mind about the disease.
In view of the deceased patients from Malappuram having visited the Government Medical College,
Kozhikode at the time of admission of the Index cases, the team also devised draft guidelines, case
definitions, advisory for healthcare workers, information to the general public, advisories for sample
collection and transportation and a brief on Nipah virus disease. A draft reporting format was prepared
and shared with experts for cases, suspects and contacts.
Another part of the Central expert team led by Dr P Ravindran, Director (Emergency Medical Relief)
visited the Government Medical College, Kozhikode and reviewed the treatment procedure, infection
control practises, use and availability of personal protective equipment (PPE) and availability of drugs,
particularly in the designated wards. An action plan was also developed for the healthcare staff and
simulation exercise was planned.
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