Kozhikode braces for Nipah virus

Kozhikode: The district is ready to face any emergencies in the wake of the second round of Nipah virus attack elsewhere in the state, said district collector Seeram Sambasiva Rao.

Addressing a review meeting of health department officials at Collectorate here on Tuesday, he said that the utility kits for medical staff and essential medicines are ready.

On the procedures to be followed before attending the patients, Mr Rao said, the local hospitals and other fever clinics should discuss with the district medical officer before referring a Nipah suspected patient to Medical College.  

The details regarding the patient, including the address and mobile number and details of relatives accompanying them, also should be handed over to the DMO before admitting to the isolation ward.

Patients should be shifted to Medical College only in an ambulance with state-of-the-art facilities.

Mr Rao also said that more steps would be taken to isolate the fever OP from other wings of MCH. He also directed the public to be more cautious in the season while coughing and spitting and also should use kerchief.

He advised the public to drink clean water and eat food cooked in a hygienic environment as jaundice and H1N1 fever are spreading.

 Prior permission of the secretary from local administrative bodies and health officer is essential before conducting any public programmes.