Nipah Virus Updates: As the Nipah situation eases in Kerala, local authorities have decided to reopen the educational institutions. Authorities have announced that educational institutions outside Kozhikode district’s containment zones will resume regular operations from Monday. This decision stems from the declining threat of virus transmission in the area. Kozhikode District Collector A Geetha conveyed this in a press release, stating that schools within containment zones will continue online classes and adhere to safety measures such as mask-wearing and sanitizer use.
Additionally, Kerala Health Minister Veena George reported that no new Nipah cases were recorded on Sunday, with all five tested samples returning negative for the virus. She also confirmed that a health worker from the Nipah contact list tested negative and that the infected patients’ health conditions were satisfactory. Currently, 915 individuals are in isolation at their residences, following the health department’s 21-day isolation directive.
Minister Veena George announced plans to bolster the healthcare system, emphasizing the “One Health” approach involving interdepartmental coordination and continuous community surveillance. So far, six Nipah cases have been identified in the state, resulting in two fatalities, with four patients, including a nine-year-old boy, receiving treatment. ICMR and WHO studies have indicated a potential risk of Nipah occurrence in Kerala and eight other Indian states.
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan revealed that the state will conduct a seroprevalence study to better understand the recurring Nipah virus cases in Kozhikode district. Seroprevalence surveys are crucial for assessing infection rates, immunity levels, disease burden, transmission patterns, and associated risk factors, as per WHO guidelines.
Schools in Kozhikode were closed on September 18, 2023 after two deaths were reported in the district due to the Nipah Virus outbreak. Online classes were being conducted while physical classes were suspended to prevent spreading of virus.
