The Karnataka Health Department has taken proactive measures in response to the Nipah virus cases reported in neighboring Kerala. The department issued a circular aimed at intensifying surveillance in districts bordering Kerala to mitigate the risk of transmission.
Surveillance and Prevention Measures
In light of the confirmed cases of Nipah virus in Kozhikode, Kerala, Karnataka health authorities have advised district administrations to establish fever surveillance checkpoints at entry points from Karnataka to Kerala. The surveillance efforts will be particularly focused on districts sharing borders with Kerala, including Chamarajanagar, Mysore, Kodagu, and Dakshin Kannada.
Additionally, the Karnataka Health Department has urged residents to refrain from non-essential travel to affected areas in Kerala to minimize the risk of exposure to the virus.
Kerala’s Response and Containment Efforts
The Kerala government has been actively conducting tests and monitoring individuals identified as high-risk contacts of confirmed Nipah cases. With 213 individuals classified as high-risk contacts out of a total of 950 people on the contact list, rigorous testing and surveillance measures are underway.
To support containment efforts, Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Dr. Bharati Pravin Pawar, reviewed the situation in Kozhikode district. The Indian Council of Medical Research – National Institute of Virology (ICMR-NIV) is collaborating closely with local authorities to address the outbreak.
Precautionary Measures and Public Safety
In response to the Nipah virus outbreak, educational institutions in Kozhikode district have been temporarily closed to prevent the spread of the infection. The District Collector has declared holidays for all educational institutions, including Anganwadis, Madrasas, tuition centers, and professional colleges, to minimize the risk of transmission.
As concerns mount over the resurgence of the Nipah virus, the Karnataka and Kerala governments, along with healthcare authorities, are working diligently to contain the spread of the virus and safeguard public health.
