Get fever, cough immediately examined

Thiruvananthapuram/Thrissur: The state government on Monday sounded a high alert in the wake of  a person contracting suspected Nipah virus, who is currently under treatment in Ernakulam.

The Nipah virus can be confirmed only after more tests and getting the results of the samples from the National Institute of Virology, Pune.

The officials said anyone with symptoms like fever and cough should seek treatment without delay. Hospitals have been directed to take steps to control the spread of the disease.

The heath department is fully prepared to meet any situation, said Health Minister K.K. Shailaja. Isolation wards have been set up in three medical college hospitals to meet any emergency.

The government directed doctors and staff at the primary, community health centres, taluk, district and general hospitals and medical colleges to take precautions while treating patients with respiratory distress syndrome. The patients coming with symptoms of cough will be examined at  the ‘cough corner’ in hospitals. The authorities have been asked to provide safety kits for staff handling such cases.

Experts said there was no need to panic. In the event of fever accompanied by headache, the person must consult a doctor. Those having fever, headache and respiratory infection should stay at home at least till the infection subsides.

The virus spreads through direct contact with the infected persons or the articles used by them. People should ignore fake messages being spread through social media.

There is no preventive vaccine for either humans or animals. The primary treatment for humans is supportive care. Anti-viral therapy along with supportive treatment are effective. Managing fever, headache, electrolyte imbalance and renal problems is crucial. Ventilator support is also needed since the virus affects brain and the patient could have severe respiratory problems.

Nipah symptoms

The patient experiences dizziness, vertigo, abdominal pain and vomiting. Some of these symptoms are different from the viral infection. While the body’s internal mechanism is effective in treating the disease by providing antibodies to kill the virus, in serious infections one might require specialist care.

After contracting the infection, the symptoms start surfacing within five to 14 days. Fever, headache, dizziness, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, fatigue, blurring of vision are some of the other symptoms. There are possibilities of the patient going into a coma within two days and developing encephalitis (brain inflammation).

The virus is isolated through swabs taken from the surface of throat, blood, urine, cerebral spinal fluid through real time polymers chain reaction. The virus can be detected through Elisa test at the time of progression of the disease.

All people coming with suspected symptoms should be admitted to isolation wards. Medical professionals must be careful while managing such patients. Precautionary measures have to be taken, including wearing of masks and gloves while speaking to patients and examining them. Once a patient with suspected symptoms is admitted to hospital, the information should be immediately passed on to the district health authorities.

Hand wash containing alcohol content should be used for washing hands after managing patients and coming into contact with the equipment used for treatment, clothes and bed sheet.  Nipah patients should not be kept with other patients and they must be shifted to isolation wards.

The number of health care staff deployed for such wards should be restricted. One- meter gap should be ensured between beds of each patient.  Masks, gloves and gowns have to be used through the period of treatment. N95 masks are found to be effective in such situations.

Precautionary and safety measures have to be taken while collecting blood samples and swabs of the infected patients. Hands should be washed properly with soap for a minimum of 20 seconds, hand sanitisers containing chlorhexidine or alcohol should be used for hand washing after tending to patients.

Health authorities must ensure that articles used for treatment are disposable. If their reuse is inevitable, they should be properly sterilised and used only after ensuring that they are infection- free. They should be autoclaved and two per cent glutraldehyde disinfectant should be used.

Steps to be taken to prevent the spread of the virus from a patient who dies due to the disease:

While handling the body, ensure there is no contact with the face or body fluids. Avoid kissing, touching cheeks or forehead.

 All clothes and utensils used by the victim, which are to be reused, should be properly washed using detergent and washing powder.  Bed, mattress and pillow should be dried in the sun for long hours.

According to doctors, the directions issued by the health department should be followed strictly. While there is no need for panic, everyone must be vigilant and take precautionary measures.

Any queries or doubts regarding Nipah could be directed to National Health Mission and health department’s Disha Helpline No 0471-2552056, 1056 (toll free).

Over 50 under observation

The student suspected to be infected with Niaph virus stayed in Thrissur for four days for an internship programme  before returning to his house in Ernakulam due to severe fever, DMO K.J. Reena  said. She said  that as ma-ny as 50 persons who interacted with the student including friends were under observation and none of them have shown any symptoms of Nipah.

“The student reached Thrissur on May 21 for an internship programme and stayed with five other friends in a   room. He also visited the out-patient department of two private hospitals in Thrissur Corporation limit. Those who came in close contact with the student in the hospitals also need to be traced and alerted,” she said.

Dr Reena who was also involved in the preventive measures in Kozhikode during the outbreak last year said that this time the suspected virus infected person had been identified straight away.

“Going by the suspected case of this student, there is 90 per cent possibility of the infection occurring in Idukki district, where the student is studying in a private college. Unlike the cases in Kozhikode, the virus has infected the brain alone and the suspected person has no lung infection,” DMO added.

Isolation wards have been set up in both general hospital and MCH in Thrissur for patients in case of outbreak.