One more dies, but Nipah cases on the decline

26-year-old man succumbs to the virus in Kozhikode; toll rises to 14

May 28, 2018 07:21 am | Updated 07:25 am IST - Kozhikode

 The premises of the Government Medical College Hospital, Kozhikode, which normally teems with people, wears a deserted look on Sunday in the wake of Nipah virus scare.

The premises of the Government Medical College Hospital, Kozhikode, which normally teems with people, wears a deserted look on Sunday in the wake of Nipah virus scare.

The number of people suspected of Nipah virus infection and undergoing treatment in the State came down to six on Sunday, while a 26-year-old youth from Kozhikode district succumbed on the day. The death toll now stands at 14.

R.L. Saritha, Director, Health Services, said the victim, Abhin of Palazhi here, had been undergoing treatment at a private hospital in the city. She said the source of the infection was not clear as Abhin was not in a position to divulge details when admitted to the hospital. His body was cremated at the Mavoor Road crematorium.

The blood and body fluid results of one more person admitted to a private hospital too turned positive. The lab results of 22 persons came on Sunday, of which 21 were negative. Two other infected persons are undergoing treatment at the Kozhikode Medical College Hospital (MCH).

Transport Minister A.K. Saseendran said separate teams and nodal officers had been appointed at the MCH. Health Minister K.K. Shylaja and Rajeev Sadanandan, Additional Chief Secretary (Health), would hold a meeting in the city on Monday to review the situation, he said.

Efforts to trace the source of the infection in the first victim continued on Sunday. Animal Husbandry Director N.N. Sasi said they were planning to send body fluid samples of bats in Chengaroth grama panchayat to the National Institute of High Security Animal Diseases, Bhopal, by Monday or Tuesday. He said the rain in the past two days was creating problems in collecting samples. “Officials spread out plastic sheets and collect droppings. When it rains, the droppings get dissolved in water.”

He dismissed the theory that Sabith, the first victim, might have contracted the virus from the Janakikkad eco-tourism centre when he went there for trekking. Mr. Sasi said the place was far away and was visited by hundreds. If the source of the virus was the forests, it would have infected many by now.

Mr. Sasi said it would be dangerous to kill bats and fell trees to drive them away. Bats tend to release body fluids when in stress. If the bats being killed had the virus in their body, it would be released through excretion and those around would get infected, he added.

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