Nipah virus outbreak contained, no need to panic, confirms Kerala Health Minister
Nipah virus outbreak contained, no need to panic: Kerala Health Minister
After 18 people were infected and 11 persons were killed, Kerala Health Minister K K Shailaja on Wednesday said that the outbreak of Nipah virus (NiP) has been contained.
She added that there was no need to panic.
Seventeen people are being treated at the Kozhikode Medical College Hospital at the moment.
"The entire expenditure of these patients would be borne by the state and there need not be any panic over bats. The government is awaiting the supply of ribavirin, a drug that's commonly used for treating similar cases," she said.
After presiding over the cabinet meeting, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Wednesday announced an ex-gratia payment of Rs 5 lakh each to the families of the dead.
Transmission of NiV takes place through direct contact with infected bats, pigs or from other NiV-infected persons.
-PTC News
