Rare virus behind three deaths in Kozhikode village: MinisterTNN | May 20, 2018, 12:58 IST
KOZHIKODE: The death toll due to viral encephalitis at Changaroth near
Perambra in the district rose to three with the death of a woman at a
private hospital on Saturday. Health minister K K https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/topic/Shailaja" rel="nofollow - Shailaja
told media after an emergency meeting of top health and district
administration officials on Saturday night that a “rare virus” was
responsible for the deaths.
“Tests conducted at the Manipal virology laboratory have revealed
that a rare virus, which is not commonly found in the state, has caused
the deaths. The samples have been sent to the National Institute of
Virology, Pune to ascertain the exact type of virus. We expect the
results by tomorrow (Sunday) or day after,” she said.
The death of three persons from a family during the last fortnight
has spread panic in the area and put the health department on high
alert.
The latest casualty, Mariyam (50), is the aunt of V K Salih who had died on Friday. Salih’s brother https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/topic/Muhammed-Sahid" rel="nofollow - Muhammed Sahid (26) had died at the Kozhikode Medical College on May 5.
Salih’s fiancée Athifa (19) and his father https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/topic/Moosa" rel="nofollow - Moosa
are currently undergoing treatment at private hospitals in Kochi and
Kozhikode. A nurse from the Peramba hospital and a relative of Salih who
participated in the funeral rites have also been admitted to two
hospitals.
Labour minister T P Ramakrishnan and director of health services R L Saritha visited Changaroth to assess the situation.
The health minister said the National Centre for Disease Control
(NCDC) has been informed about the deaths and the central government
urged to send a medical team to the state.
“People need not get panicked,” she said and asked the public not to believe the rumours being spread through social media.
It has been observed that the disease spreads through contact with
body fluids. A special isolation ward will be opened at the Kozhikode
Government Medical College Hospital. Two ventilators have already been
made available there, said Shailaja.
The collector has been asked to ensure the support private hospitals in
disease management. Directions have also been given to keep those who
had been in close contact with the deceased under observation.
The district medical officer has, meanwhile, appealed to people not to consume fruits eaten by birds and bats.
Asked whether the infection was due to
Nipah virus, Dr G Arun Kumar from the Manipal Centre for Virus
Research, who is camping in the district, said that it cannot be
confirmed at this point.
All the three who has died had shown symptoms including fever, disorientation and mental confusion.
Dr Abdul Gafoor from the department of
infectious diseases of Apollo Hospital, Chennai was among those present
at the press meet.
Source: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kozhikode/rare-virus-behind-three-deaths-in-kozhikode-village-minister/articleshow/64243762.cms" rel="nofollow - https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kozhikode/rare-virus-behind-three-deaths-in-kozhikode-village-minister/articleshow/64243762.cms
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