India: Kerala: Nipah outbreak 2019; case confirmed

[Ronan Kelly]

Fever samples sent for testing, no need for Nipah panic says Ernakulam Collector
The sample has been sent for examination to two Virology Institutes, and the 23-year old patient has been admitted to an isolated ward.
Saritha S Balan
Sunday, June 02, 2019 - 12:18


The blood samples of a 23-year-old student from Vadakkekara in Ernakulam have been sent for tests after he was admitted to a private hospital in the district and exhibited some symptoms of Nipah. The District Collector has said that this is a routine procedure and that there's no need for panic around Nipah. This comes a year after the state has recovered from the outbreak of Nipah virus, one of the most alarming incidents in the state.

Referring to some news reports about a confirmed case if Nipah in the district, Ernakulam Collector K Mohammed Y Safirulla said in a press release, "It is untrue, Nipah has not been confirmed in any patient admitted to any private medical hospital in Ernakulam. It is routine for samples to be sent for testing if a patient is admitted with fever and other symptoms. There is no need to panic."

"If Nipah is confirmed bythe tests, the district administration will officially confirm it and take necessary action," he added. According to the authorities, the sample has been sent to the Manipal Institute of Virology, and to the Kerala State Institute of Virology and Infectious Diseases (KSIVID) in Alappuzha on Sunday and they are awaiting the results.
...

https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/nipah-case-suspected-kerala-s-ernakulam-102860

[Ronan Kelly]

Youth in Ernakulam admitted to hospital under suspicion of Nipah virus
Samples have been sent to Manipal Institute of Virology and Kerala State Institute of Virology and Infectious Diseases (KSIVID) in Alappuzha and results are awaited.


Published: 02nd June 2019 01:20 PM | Last Updated: 02nd June 2019 01:32 PM | A+A A-
By Express News Service
...
Dr Kuttappan said, "The youth had gone for internship at Keltron in Thrissur and returned home after he fell sick. The fever persisted for more than 10 days and some of the symptoms were of Nipah. He is being taken care of in an isolated ward of the hospital."

He said the hospital authorities notified the district authorities on Saturday night. According to him, it might be also a case of viral or bacterial encephalitis. The test results are expected by evening. According to the DMO, the district medical authorities will issue a statement soon.
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http://www.newindianexpress.com/states/kerala/2019/jun/02/youth-in-ernakulam-admitted-to-hospital-under-suspicion-of-nipah-virus-1984987.html

Kerala youth admitted to hospital with Nipah-like symptoms
The 23-year-old patient has been moved to an isolation ward in a private hospital after he displayed symptoms of viral infection, said Ernakulam district medical officer Dr M K Kuttappan.
INDIA Updated: Jun 02, 2019 15:24 IST
Ramesh Babu


The 23-year-old patient has been moved to an isolation ward in a private hospital after he displayed symptoms of viral infection, said Ernakulam district medical officer Dr M K Kuttappan.

He said blood samples were sent to two virology institutes for tests?Manipal Virology Institute and Kerala Institute of Virology and Infectious Diseases?and there was no need for any panic. The results are likely to be in by Monday.

Kuttappan said they were alerted about the incident on Saturday night. ?It is not confirmed but initial symptoms show similarities to Nipah. The man?s relatives said he had gone to the neighbouring district for a training programme and has been down with fever for than 10 days,? he said.
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https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/suspected-case-of-nipah-virus-reported-in-kerala-s-ernakulam/story-a5KAbD8MaixynqNKAYavaN.html

[Ronan Kelly]

Link to 2018 Nipah outbreak thread which began with the report of two unidentified fever deaths on May 18. https://flutrackers.com/forum/forum/...302#post794302

[alert]

There are a large number of other causes of encephalitis in India other than Nipah. It's very unusual for a single case to be reported like this unless there's some kind of horrendous exposure (such as handling a bat) that hasn't been reported.

Either that, or someone else is ill and H2H transmission is suspect...

[Ronan Kelly]

...

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kochi/kerala-on-alert-after-preliminary-reports-hint-at-nipah-infection-in-youth/articleshow/69632408.cms?utm_source=twitter.com&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=TOICitiesNews

Kerala student suspected with Nipah virus, state govt takes precautions
PTI Published : Jun 3, 2019, 2:55 pm IST Updated : Jun 3, 2019, 3:01 pm IST

A team of medical experts, who have experience in dealing with the situation, have been rushed to Ernakulam, officials said after meeting.
...
Thrissur District Medical Officer, Dr Reena, said six persons, who had been in direct contact with the student, were currently under observation. Besides, the people who contacted the student were also under watch, the DMO said. She said the student was in Thrissur only for four days and had been suffering from fever.

There were 16 other students with him and six of them, who came in direct contact with him, were under observation, she added. Idukki district medical authorities said the college in Thodupuzha, where the student is studying, is also under observation.

Officials said the family and neighbours of the young man, who hails from Ernakulam district were also under observation as was the college in Thodupuzha, where the student is studying.
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https://www.asianage.com/india/all-india/030619/kerala-student-suspected-with-nipah-virus-state-govt-takes-precautions.html?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

[Ronan Kelly]

@SnehaMKoshy
Following Following @SnehaMKoshy

"23-yr-old man admitted in a private hospital in #Ernakulam, is suspected to have #Nipah.Final results awaited, "According to #Kerala Health Minister @shailajateacher."Nothing to panic, we are prepared to handle any situation. We've begun precautionary measures", she added.@ndtv

3:40 AM - 3 Jun 2019 from Trivandrum, India


Sneha Koshy

Verified account

@SnehaMKoshy
4h4 hours ago

#Kerala govt has begun 'contact-tracing', so everyone who came in contact with the 23-yr-old man, suspected of #Nipah,can be monitored and given precautionary measures, according to Health Minister. Isolation wards are ready.We have trained, well equipped health officials.@ndtv


Sneha Koshy

Verified account

@SnehaMKoshy
25m25 minutes ago

As of 4pm - 52 people under surveillance of health officials in #Kerala. Of which 22 are students ,who came in contact with the one suspect case. None of the 52 show any symptoms of #Nipah virus as of now. All of them being monitored at their homes, not hospital. @ndtv

https://twitter.com/SnehaMKoshy/status/1135436161730531328

[alert]

https://twitter.com/Team_OPU/status/1135475709424488448

Youth from Idukki Hospitalised @ Kochi with indefatigable Fever for last 10 days, Tested Positive for initial Nipah tests.. Final result yet to come from Pune Virology Institute..

(There aren't too many other things that are close enough to Nipah to trigger a cross-reactive false positive rapid test. In particular, the other known causes of encephalitis/AES are virologically very different from Nipah. Unless there was some testing error, the chance that this will be confirmed seems high. - alert)

[Ronan Kelly]

Kerala treating suspected Nipah case as 'positive', awaits crucial report
The National Institute of Virology?s Alappuzha unit as well as a private lab in Bengaluru have stated that the 23-year-old man quarantined in Ernakulam is a positive case; however, the government is awaiting NIV-Pune?s report



NEXT NEWS ❯
By Banjot Kaur
Last Updated: Monday 03 June 2019
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?The man has been kept in the isolation ward. All 86 people who came in contact with him are under surveillance at their homes. We are fully equipped to deal with any eventuality,? she claimed.
...
?The man was confirmed of having Nipah virus by a private hospital in Ernakulam, which had sent the blood sample to a lab in Bengaluru. However, till we get the final results from NIV-Pune, we can?t say if this was a confirmed case of the deadly virus,? the Ernakulam district medical officer told Down To Earth (DTE).

Meanwhile, earlier on June 3, Shailaja had said that the report from NIV?s unit at Alappuzha did find an element of Nipah virus but it could not confirm this. Hence the results from Pune were important. While the man belongs to Ernakulam, he had been to Thrissur as part of a training camp and also had been in Idukki for a while. Therefore, all three districts are under the watch of health officials.
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https://www.downtoearth.org.in/news/health/kerala-treating-suspected-nipah-case-as-positive-awaits-crucial-report-64896

[Pathfinder]

Translation Google

Needless to be alert: Minister KK Shilaja teacher

USRHLTH POSTED ON3.06.2019

health department has prepared everything to know about the virus

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Health Minister Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan has said that the patient is suffering from a fever in Ernakulam. Shilaja teacher. More test results are available to confirm that the virus is infected. The minister said that the results of the Pune Virology Institute are waiting.

If you have symptoms like severe cough and fever, you should seek treatment immediately after no one has to conceal. Similarly, hospitals have provided guidelines for exploration and infection control. The health department is ready to face any situation. The Minister said the facility was set up in various hospitals including Isolation ward.

Avoid fake campaigns about Nita virus. Everyone should be aware of what the virus is and what the precautions it should take. It is helpful in the removal of the existing records to the Department of Health website at http://www.dhs.kerala.gov.in/ Minister is available at.

The health department has prepared everything to know about the virus

Nipa virus

The Virus Virus is a virus in the virus paradoxo virus. Nipa virus is commonly associated with animals and animals. It is likely to be transmitted to humans by bats or pigs who are infected with the virus. From human to human beings. If you are not aware of those who are dealing with the disease, you can get sick. Disease can also be caused by the removal of defective drinks and antispasmodic beverages.
...
https://minister-health.kerala.gov.i...%8D-%E0%B4%B5/

[Ronan Kelly]

Nipah virus outbreak confirmed in Kerala, but don't panic says minister
3 min read . Updated: 04 Jun 2019, 02:22 PM IST
Nidheesh M.K.


A 23-year-old college student in Kerala is confirmed to have been infected with Nipah virus, state health minister K K Shylaja said citing report from the Pune-based National Institute of Virology.

"But the public need not panic," the minister told reporters on Tuesday, as the state is backed with its experience of tackling Nipah from last year and has done several arrangements to treat any wider outbreak so far.

Four others, including two nurses who were in contact with the youth, have shown signs of heavy fever and one of them has been moved into isolation ward, the health minister said.
...
https://www.livemint.com/news/india/...624211137.html

[Ronan Kelly]

Nipah Returns to Kerala as 23-Year-old Student Tests Positive, Govt Says No Need to Panic
A list of 86 people, who came in contact with the patient are being monitored by medical officials in Ernakulam.
Neethu Reghukumar | CNN-News18Updated:June 4, 2019, 1:51 PM IST
...
?Of those who have come in contact with the 23-year-old, two have symptoms of fever. One of them has been admitted to the isolation ward. It?s not a serious situation, but we still admitted him due to fever and sore throat. Two nurses in the hospital where the patient was initially treated have sore throat and are also under observation,? the minister said.
...

https://www.news18.com/news/india/kerala-student-tests-positive-for-nipah-authorities-on-high-alert-2170973.html

Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
Dr. Harsh Vardhan reviews the public health measures for Nipah Virus

Assures all support to Kerala Government to manage Nipah Virus
Posted On: 04 JUN 2019 10:54AM by PIB Delhi
Following confirmation of a suspect case of Nipah Virus Disease by National Institute of Virology (NIV) Pune, an urgent meeting was convened by the Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare, Dr. Harsh Vardhan at his residence at 8 am, here today.

The following officers were present at the meeting:

Ms. Preeti Sudan, Secretary (HFW)
Dr. Balram Bhargava, Secretary (DHR)
Shri Sanjeeva Kumar, Addl. Secretary (H)
Dr. S. Venkatesh, DGHS
Dr. Sujeet K Singh, Director, NCDC and
Dr. Gangakhetkar, Scientist G and Head ECD, ICMR
The Union Health Minister Dr. Harsh Vardhan spoke to the Health Minister of Kerala, Smt K. K. Shailaja, and discussed the current situation and assured all support from the Centre. He had also spoken to her yesterday.

The following actions have been taken:

A Central Team with six officers has been deployed and have reached for epidemiological investigation protocol, contact tracing for early detection of suspects, testing protocols for suspects and review of isolation facilities
A Control room established and NCDC Strategic Health Operations Center (SHOC) activated. The phone number of control room is number 011-23978046.
A team from National Institute of Virology, Pune (ICMR) with Monoclonal Antibodies is being sent to Ernakullam.
A team from NIV for conducting/testing bats for Nipah virus is being dispatched today. The Union Health has spoken to DG Forest to extend all cooperation in this regard.
The State has already initiated the following actions:

Contact tracing and surveillance
Standard capacity building for health functionaries, ambulance fleet drivers and others
Infection control activities in hospitals. Dedicated trained teams to handle cases
Rapid Response Teams at institutions
Help desk at Medical College Ernakulam established.
Dedicated trained doctors, nurses, paramedics at hospitals. Vigil activated in all districts.
Awareness generation.


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[Ronan Kelly]

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[Ronan Kelly]

Five suspected cases of Nipah in Kerala, samples sent for testing says govt
"As of now the situation is not precarious, but we need to take the utmost care. The most important thing is to follow the instructions of the Health Department," Kerala Health Minister KK Shailaja said.
Saritha S Balan
Tuesday, June 04, 2019 - 22:19

...

As contact tracing continues, so far 311 people were found to have been in direct or indirect contact with the patient.


?Five suspected cases are there, but they are not exhibiting any severe symptoms. This includes three nurses, one student who studied with him and a person from Chalakudy in Thrissur who did not come in direct contact with the person. They are admitted at the isolation ward at Medical College, Kalamassery and medication is being administered," according to the minister.
...
High-priority list tomorrow

A high-priority list will be announced tomorrow after those who came in contact with the person are analysed.

"Those who might have a chance to come in contact with the fluid of the person and those who continuously spent twelve hours with him are at high risk. Other type of contacts come under low risk,? said Health Secretary Rajan N Khobragade, though he added that not all are necessarily at risk.

?Prioritisation is based on high risk and low risk. We will be monitoring all these people. High-priority list will be announced tomorrow after analysing the list," he said.
...

https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/five-suspected-cases-nipah-kerala-samples-sent-testing-says-govt-103013

[Ronan Kelly]

Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
The Central Team reviews the public health measures for Nipah Virus in Kerala

No cause for panic; Situation under control: Dr Harsh Vardhan
Posted On: 05 JUN 2019 8:30PM by PIB Delhi
The Union Minister of Health and Family, Dr Harsh Vardhan is closely monitoring the situation arising out of reported cases of Nipah Virus in Kerala. ?I urge the people not to panic as the Government is leaving no stone unturned to remedy the situation. I am personally reviewing the situation with the State Health Minister of Kerala, Smt K. K. Shailaja on a regular basis. Ms Preeti Sudan, Secretary (HFW) and other senior officers are also in touch with their counterparts in the State for daily feedback and updates,? Dr Harsh Vardhan said.

The central team deployed under the directions of Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare, Dr. Harsh Vardhan had a meeting with the Health Minister of Kerala, Smt K. K. Shailaja, and also interacted with district collector of the affected district.

The key focus of the meeting was on updating of contact list (line listing with contact details) by HCW, daily follow up for symptoms, self-monitoring and use of PPEs for symptomatic contacts. The team also discussed categorization of contacts into priority contacts (family contacts, HCW of health facilities) and plan SOPs for quarantine of symptomatic contacts, sample collection/testing and dedicated isolation facility with trained health staff for care of cases and epidemiological investigation by Multi disciplinary Central team to ascertain the possible source of infection, history of exposure (exposure to infected animals, primary or secondary). The team also stressed on the need for proper record keeping in district control room with daily sharing of information.

Following Public Health measures have been instituted by the State Health Authorities:

A designated Control Room has been established at Office of District Collector (dedicated phone number decided)
Isolation ward established at Government Medical College Ernakulam.
Isolation facilities ensured at Medical Colleges at Calicut, Thrissur and Kottayam.
PEID cells of the abovementioned Medical Colleges to participate actively.
All health care facilities to ensure high index of suspicion in cases with similar symptoms and also ensure availability of isolation and emergency management facilities before referral.
Core group to meet on daily basis to review and monitor the situation.
Every evening Bulletin about NiVD will be released from Control Room.
The current status is:

Condition of one positive case is stable
A total of 314 contacts are being followed up on daily basis
5 symptomatic contacts have been admitted in quarantine facility at Medical college and samples have been sent for testing.
Video conference conducted with Strategic health Operations Centre (SHOC) has been activated at Central level at NCDC and also
20 calls have been attended to at NCDC control room information to the public.
The following guidelines/reference materials is available on the NCDC, MoHFW for ready reference:
Information (FAQs)about Nipah Virus
Case definition of Nipah Virus Disease
Hospital Infection Control for Nipah Virus
Guidelines for Sample collection and transportation for Nipah Virus
Clinical management guidelines for suspected and confirmed case of Nipah Virus
Guidelines for safe disposal of dead bodies of confirmed Nipah Patients
Information for General Public and Advisory for Health care personnel
Community awareness and Risk Communication measures have been instituted to allay fear in the community.


Case of NIPAH in Ernakulam district, Kerala, June, 2019

Mr Gokul Krishna Dileep, 21 year old male resident of Paravur, a student at Thodupuzha, district Idukki, presenting with fever on 23 rd May 2019, while in District Thrissur. He visited a physician in Thrissur but returned to his family in Ernakulum as fever was high grade and was not subsiding. He consulted private hospital in Ernakulum on 25 May, 2019 and was treated with antibiotics. He was referred to another private hospital on night of 30 May, 2019 as he developed slight disorientation and gait imbalance. Throat swab, CSF blood and urine samples were sent to National institute of Virology Alapuzha on 2 June, 2019. The samples were sent to NIV Pune on 3 June, 2019 for confirmation and tested to be Nipah positive. The patient is stable conscious and oriented at present. All 3 other family members are healthy.



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7 People Suspected Of Nipah Virus In Hospital: Kerala Health Minister
The samples of six patients have been sent to National Institute of Virology in Pune and results will be available by Thursday.
All India | ANI | Updated: June 06, 2019 00:23 IST

Kochi:

Seven people suspected of having contracted Nipah virus have been admitted to a hospital and the condition of the patient diagnosed with the virus is now stable, Kerala Health Minister KK Shailaja said on Wednesday after a review meeting with officials.

The samples of six patients have been sent to National Institute of Virology in Pune and results will be available by Thursday.

Earlier in the day, Shailaja had informed that five more persons were under observation in the wake of a scare over Nipah virus...