‘We have contained the outbreak effectively... no need to panic’

With Nipah virus being reported for the first time in Kerala, the state health minister KK Shailaja has been camping in the worst-affected Kozhikode district since Sunday. Excerpts from an interview with Ramesh Babu:

Is there panic among the people? What is the situation on the ground?

The situation is well under control. Officially, we have confirmed nine fever deaths from the two districts of Kozhikode and Malappuram. Of these, four cases have been confirmed to be Nipah-infected. Everything is under control and there is no need to panic. We have contained the outbreak effectively.

The opposition parties are alleging delay and inept handling.

Not true. We were on our toes when the second case was reported on May 18. We immediately rushed blood and other samples to virology institute (National Institute of Virology) in Pune and sought the help of two wellknown hospitals, Kasturbha Medical College in Manipal and Apollo (Hospital) in Chennai... We managed it well due to the state’s robust health infrastructure...

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM:

What about those under observation in hospitals?

Nine persons are in hospital and the condition of four is serious. It seems they are epidemiologically-linked. Thirty people are under observation.

They are in their homes and health officials are keeping a tab on them.

(If they develop) any symptoms, they will be moved to isolation wards immediately... Don’t eat fruits bitten by birds or animals

Scrub hands after being in close contact with sick people Wear a mask and gloves while looking after the sick Avoid contact with the sick as far as possible

No vaccine for animals or humans

Treatment is supportive and the symptoms are treated