Team from Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) landed in Kozhikode on Saturday to check out Nipah virus situation. Follows confirmation of virus in 43-year-old man from Ramanattukara, now critically ill on ventilator. Lab results from National Institute of Virology in Pune nailed it down Thursday.
ICMR team visited Government Medical College Hospital where patient is treated. Also held review meeting with local health officials,district representatives at collectorate. Three high-risk contacts tested negative, a small relief in this health crisis .
Revenue Minister A.P. Anil Kumar, overseeing Kozhikode's response, told media no sign of widespread virus transmission. No need for containment zone, he stressed. Of 87 on contact list,11 from Malappuram,one from Kannur, rest from Kozhikode.
Minister Anil Kumar said containment measures are solid,countering Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI(M)) leaders' claims of government negligence. Health workers have reached out to about 300 homes in infected man's area,ensuring system's ready.
While ICMR team works, National Centre for Disease Control officials set to arrive in Kozhikode soon. Plan to visit patient's hometown in Ramanattukara in coming days for deeper dive.
Amid all this,opposition leaders like Pinarayi Vijayan, P.A. Mohamed Riyas, M . Mehboob criticize government response. Riyas protested outside Nipah control room at Kozhikode collectorate,says local worries ignored .
Nipah virus challenges remain,but health officials stay alert. Monitoring continues,efforts underway to keep public safe...
