West Nile fever claims one life in Kerala

A six-year-old boy, who was admitted to Government Medical College hospital here with symptoms of vector-borne West Nile fever, died on Monday. The victim, Mohammed Shan, a resident of Vengara in Malappuram, was the first case of West Nile fever reported in Kerala. Malappuram Deputy Medical Officer Dr Ismail confirmed that the death happened around 3am on Monday morning.

Minister for Health KK Shylaja said there was no need to panic and steps were being taken to prevent the spread of the virus. The minister said that all steps have been taken to contain the virus and instructions have been issued to the Director of Health services in this regard. “There is no need to panic and stringent steps are being taken to prevent its spread,” she told media persons on Monday. Authorities issued a high alert in Kerala’s north Malabar region for West Nile fever.

The virus is transmited to humans through a mosquito bite and is mostly reported in North America. Symptoms of the virus infliction include cold, fever, fatigue and nausea.

The boy, hailing from neighbouring Malappuram district, was admited to the intensive care unit of the hospital one week ago ater he tested positive for the virus. Ater the virus was reported in Malappuram, a special medical team had been deputed the area, Ms Shylaja said. District Collector held a meeting with health officials on Monday morning.

Last week, the central health ministry had rushed a four-member multi-disciplinary central team from National Centre for Disease Control to the state. Union Minister for Health JP Nadda said the ministry was closely monitoring the situation.

The minister offered all support to Kerala for prevention and management of the disease. He confirmed that there were no reports so far about the spread of the virus in other parts of the country.

There had been a case of West Nile fever last year in Kozhikode, which was confirmed by the Manipal Centre for Virus Research (MCVR).