Nipah In Kerala: Can’t ‘Rule Out Chance Of Second Wave’, CM Pinarayi Vijayan Warns As Cases Contained

According to Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, the state health system is capable of efficiently preventing the spread of the fatal virus.

Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan. (File Photo)

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan stated on Tuesday that while the Nipah outbreak in Kozhikode district has been contained, the threat of the infectious disease remains, news agency PTI reported. He stated that it is now impossible to rule out the possibility of a second Nipah epidemic. Speaking at a press conference, CM Vijayan stated: "It cannot be said that the threat of Nipah is completely over." According to Vijayan, the state health system is capable of efficiently preventing the spread of the fatal virus.

"The health system is working cautiously. Early detection of the virus averted a dangerous situation," he was quoted by PTI in its report.

Vijayan described the government's efforts to combat illness prevention, stating that 994 persons are now under monitoring.

"A Nipah review meeting was held here today. Health experts are of the opinion that the possibility of a second wave is very remote but cannot be completely ruled out," he said.

He stated that samples from 304 persons were taken, and test results from 267 of them had been received.

Six persons tested positive, he added, and nine are being monitored at Kozhikode Medical College.

Even the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), according to the Chief Minister, could not offer a clear answer as to why Nipah instances are being recorded in Kozhikode district.

Nipah incidences were previously recorded from the Kozhikode district in 2018 and 2021.

Earlier, the Director-General of the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), Dr. Rajiv Bahl, had underlined a number of preventative steps aimed at limiting the virus's spread. These procedures, he claims, are similar to those used against COVID-19, such as handwashing and mask wearing. In the case of Nipah, however, the major focus is on preventing contact with sick patients, as first cases frequently spread the infection to others. Furthermore, Dr. Bahl emphasised the significance of avoiding contact with body fluids and blood, emphasising the crucial importance of biosafety, hospital safety, and isolation.

When you examine the Nipah virus's fatality rate, you can see how dangerous it is. Dr. Bahl observes a dramatic difference between Nipah and COVID-19, with the former having a death rate of 40% to 70%, much above the relatively lower fatality rate of 2% to 3% recorded in COVID-19 patients, according to news agency PTI.