Nipah Virus: Following a recent outbreak of the Nipah virus in a northern district of the state, which resulted in two deaths and two additional infections, the Kerala government has instituted stronger steps to prevent its spread.
Because of the disease's severity, the Kozhikode administration has declared seven village panchayats as containment zones.
Kozhikode District Collector A Geetha revealed the list of panchayats subject to containment measures in a Facebook post.
Atanchery, Maruthonkara, Tiruvallur, Kuttiyadi, Kayakkodi, Villyapalli, and Kavilumpara are among them. Until further notice, travel into and out of certain zones is absolutely banned, with local law enforcement entrusted with cordoning off these locations.
These time limitations do not apply to pharmacies and health centres. Banks, government institutions, quasi-government entities, educational institutions, and anganwadis must remain closed, as directed by the collector.
The general public is urged to use online services instead of visiting local self-government entities.
Buses and cars travelling on national highways via these containment zones are not permitted to halt within impacted regions, according to guidelines provided by the regional transport officer and district transport officer.
Within the confinement zones, stringent adherence to social distance, mask-wearing, and the use of sanitisers is also emphasised.
Following the discovery of a Nipah virus infection in the Kozhikode district, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan asked locals to be calm and prioritise preventative measures.
He emphasised the significance of following health department rules and working fully with any limits.
State Health Minister Veena George announced to the media in Kozhikode that one of the infected with the virus is a nine-year-old child. She claimed that three of the five samples tested yielded positive results.
The Nipah virus was found in samples from the person who died on August 30 and two others who are presently being treated, including the nine-year-old kid.
The death on August 30 was initially attributed to cirrhosis of the liver. Further examination, however, uncovered the exact reason, and the virus has since been found in the little kid and his 24-year-old brother-in-law, both of whom are receiving treatment.