Nipah virus: Schools directed to clean wells

KOZHIKODE: District panchayat president Babu Parassery directed all the officials of  local administrative bodies to lead the efforts to ward off the fear among the public about Nipah virus. He was speaking during the all-party meeting headed by health minister K.K. Shylaja and T.P. Ramakrishnan, minister for excise and labour on Friday to discuss future activities to curb the spread of Nipah virus.

Mr Parassery added that all the activities to curb the virus had been arranged in the Vadakara Government Hospital that comes under the district Panchayat. "Since the schools are about to be reopened, we have directed that all the school wells be cleaned and water chlorinated. Funds from Suchitwa Mission and National Health Mission will be utilized for all the activities to conduct preventive measures", said Mr Parassery.

The members at the all-party meeting welcomed all the decisions taken up by the state government and ensured that full support for the conduct of activities would be extended. Transport minister A.K. Saseendran and corporation mayor Thottathil Raveendran also attended.

‘Awareness can ward off Nipah fear’ 
 

While Nipah virus related deaths resulted in a tremendous decrease in the number of people in spots where socializing usually takes place in the city and those commuting in buses and autorikshaws have dropped despite the impending school reopening, hospitals and various organizations have started awareness campaigns to minimize the panic. Hospital authorities feel that there is lack of awareness even among the new generation nurses on how to resist communicable diseases.

Dr Biju Mohan, consultant physician at Nirmala Hospital, Vellimadukunnu, said lack of an awareness session resulted in people worrying to step out of their homes. This had resulted in a sharp drop in the number of outpatients in the hospitals.  "One need not panic about Nipah, rather be cautious by taking proactive precautions like wearing gloves, masks, stringent washing of hands using soap", he said.

"Buying fruits including dates from the market is safe; rather take care to wash it properly in hot water and do not eat rotten fruits", he added. Moreover, the fruits here are mostly exported from other states making the chance low. Following a query by a participant over eating pork, Dr Mohan said that there was no risk provided it was boiled properly. "The virus will not survive in boiled and cooked meat", he said.

"In case of any acquaintance confirmed with the fever, try to avoid contact. Maintain a distance of at least one metre. It is impossible in case of close relatives to avoid contact. In that case use separate utensils for the patient and wash their clothes separately. During cremation of Nipah victim, be cautious to avoid contact with body fluids and face, cover your body and face while taking the body and bathe after cremation. More than 70 persons, majority of them members of the public participated in the awareness session.