Nipah Virus infection in Kerala : Fever surveillance stepped up at TN border

Tamil Nadu has increased fever surveillance in border areas following the death of a 12-year-old boy in Kerala, Health Minister Ma. Subramanian said on Sunday.

“As soon as we received information about the boy infected with the Nipah virus this morning, we notified health officials — deputy directors and joint directors of health — in nine districts that share a border with Kerala,” he told reporters following a welfare distribution event in the Saidapet constituency.

“In addition to this, we have shared information about the Nipah virus with officials and requested that they establish fever camps and conduct testing in border areas for those arriving by road – whether on two-wheelers or four-wheelers,” he said.

Previously, when Zika virus cases were discovered in Kerala, fever camps were held in border areas to screen individuals entering the state, he explained, adding that COVID-19 prevention measures were already in place in these border districts.

The Central Government has dispatched a team from the National Center for Disease Control, which will arrive in the state on Sunday. The team will assist the state with technical matters.

The minister explained the case to reporters, saying, “Unfortunately, the boy died at 5 a.m. On Saturday night, the child’s condition was critical. We formed various teams and began the tracing process. We have taken steps to isolate those who were the boy’s primary contacts”.

The minister stated that the infection was confirmed Saturday night by the Pune NIV.

“Three samples—plasma, cerebrospinal fluid, and serum—were found to be infected. He was recently admitted to the hospital.