Kerala: Nipah-survivor leaves hospital; Ernakulam declared free from deadly virus

Kochi: After 53 days, 23-year-old Nipah patient hailing from Ernakulam was discharged from Kochi Aster Medcity on Tuesday (July 24). Kerala Health minister KK Shailaja congratulated the medical team at the hospital for successfully handling the Nipah case.  KK Shailaja on Tuesday officially declared the district Nipah-free.

The Aster Medcity had borne all expenses of the Nipah patient. On June 4, Pune's National Institute of Virology confirmed that the 23-year old-youth had contracted the Nipah virus. The youth was admitted to hospital on May 30 and was in no condition to stand on his feet. He has now completely recovered. 

Also read: Nipah virus patient recovers, to be discharged from Kerala hospital on Tuesday after 47 days

A year ago, the Nipah virus had claimed 18 lives in Kozhikode, Kerala. Unlike last year, no loss of life has been reported so far in 2019. Health minister KK Shailaja is expected to be present during the discharge of the youth.

Meanwhile, the National Institute of Virology has identified the presence of the deadly Nipah virus in 12 fruit bats out of the 36 samples tested at the institute. The medical department had collected hundreds of sputum samples of fruit bats from different parts of Kerala.

Training on preventive measures to avoid contracting the virus was imparted to 1,293 persons in the state. The labour department inspected 12 migrant labour camps at North Paravur, Perumbavur, and Kakkanad areas to ensure hygiene standards were met. Strict action will be taken against those found violating hygiene norms, a health department official had said.

Accordingly, training which was imparted at the block level as part of Nipah vigil will cover gram panchayats and municipalities.  The workers of Asha, Anganwadi, Kudumbasree and NREGP also received training. 

 

Read Exclusive COVID-19 Coronavirus News updates, at MyNation.