An alert has been issued in three districts of Kerala following the detection of two cases of the Nipah virus, as announced by Health Minister Veena George. The affected individuals are from the Palakkad and Malappuram districts, prompting alerts in Kozhikode, Malappuram, and Palakkad. Initial tests at medical colleges in Malappuram and Kozhikode indicated the presence of the virus, with samples sent to the Virology Institute in Pune for confirmation. Despite awaiting official confirmation, preventive measures have been intensified following established protocols. The health department has initiated strong preventive actions, with simultaneous operations across the three districts. Each district has formed 26 committees, and police assistance will be utilized for contact tracing. Helplines will be operational at both state and district levels. Containment zones will be declared in two affected districts, and district collectors have been instructed to take necessary actions. Public announcements and thorough contact tracing will be conducted, and any unusual deaths during this period will be investigated.
Is there a Nipah virus alert in Kerala?
