"Strengthen Surveillance, Awareness": Centre's Nipah Suggestion To Kerala

After a Central team visited the state yesterday, the Union health ministry has reportedly said there was no cause for alarm over Kerala's nipah case.

A strengthening of both the hospital and community-based surveillance and more intensive contact tracing are among many recommendations made today by the Union Health Ministry to Kerala following the detection of the deadly nipah virus again in the state. The Centre has, however, said there is no need for alarm over the matter. In a letter to Kerala Chief Secretary Dr VP Joy, Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan today reiterated the Union Health and Family Welfare Ministry's commitment to extend all possible technical support to the state government. A team of the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) visited Kerala's Kozhikode district yesterday following reports of the nipah outbreak there. Based on its report, the ministry has made some recommendations. "Both the hospital-based and community-based surveillance need to be strengthened. Awareness needs to be created among the field formations for early detection of cases of acute encephalitis syndrome/respiratory distress and risk communicated to the public," Mr Bhushan's letter said.