Kodagu on high alert after Nipah deaths in Kerala, arrangements made for separate wards

MADIKERI: Following the confirmed deaths of two people due to the Nipah virus in Kozhikode district of Kerala, the Kodagu health department has started taking precautionary measures in the district as it borders that state.

Preparations have been made to open special wards in the district hospital and primary health centers to provide special and individual treatment to infected patients in the district. Following the alarming surge of the Nipah virus in Kerala, medical officers in Kodagu district are on high alert.

District Health Officer Dr K M Satishkumar has requested that if any cases similar to Nipah virus infection or symptoms are found in the surrounding areas of the district, they should be immediately brought to the attention of the department.

It has also been decided to conduct a survey of fever patients at the primary health centres. The Health Department workers have been instructed to take special care of fever patients.

In view of the Nipah virus spreading, arrangements have already been made for separate wards and seven beds have been reserved in the district hospital and primary health centers of the district. Also, due to extreme weather conditions, around 150 to 200 people are already suffering from fever in Kodagu district every day. The health department is keeping a close watch on the fever patients.

Apart from this, people coming from Kerala are being scanned for symptoms and checkposts have been installed. The Health Department is also checking the travel history of the people who are coming from Kerala.