Due to the outbreak of Nipah virus, strictness has now been increased in Kozhikode district of Kerala. All educational institutions in the district will remain closed for a week till next Sunday. The closure order will apply to schools, vocational colleges, tuition centers and other educational institutions in the district. Kerala government has made this announcement.
This decision has been taken after another case of Nipah virus infection was confirmed on Friday. The total number of cases so far has reached six. In the latest outbreak, two people have died due to virus infection.
Currently, 1,080 people who came in contact with confirmed Nipah patients are under surveillance. Out of these, 130 new people have come forward who came in contact. Of those who are being monitored, 327 are health workers. Apart from Kozhikode, 29 of those found to be in contact are from neighboring districts, including 22 in Malappuram, three each in Kannur and Thrissur and one in Wayanad, India Today reports.
The state issued a Nipah virus alert on September 12 after two deaths were reported due to fever and symptoms of the virus infection. Tests at the National Institute of Virology in Pune later confirmed that the deaths were caused by Nipah virus. After this the government decided to tighten the restrictions.
Three days ago on Wednesday, the state government increased the control measures. A state-level control room was opened. Nine panchayats in Kozhikode district were declared containment zones.
Nipah is a zoonotic virus that can spread to humans through infected animals or contaminated food. It can also spread from one infected person to another. Its symptoms include fever, headache, cough, difficulty in breathing, vomiting. In severe cases, the brain becomes swollen and causes death.
Efforts are ongoing to identify the source of infection. Since fruit bats are considered to be the major source of the virus and transmission from animals to humans is suspected, samples of fruits partially eaten by bats were collected from the villages of the dead victims. Local Panchayat officials conducted door-to-door surveys in the villages.
Death rate many times higher than Covid
Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) chief Dr. Rajiv Bahl said on Friday that the death rate among people infected with Nipah virus is much higher than that of people infected with Covid. According to Dr. Bahl, the mortality rate of Nipah virus is between 40-70 percent, while that of Covid is 2-3 percent.