With the news of Nipah virus attack in Kerala spreading rapidly, the state government of Telangana has sounded high alert and directed the health department to be fully prepared to deal with any kind of untoward eventually.
While speaking about the new healthcare challenge emerged in Kerala in the form of Nipah virus, Health Minister Dr. C. Laxma Reddy said that the state government is fully prepared to deal with any kind of untoward healthcare eventually. “The health department officials have been already alerted to be prepared to deal with any kind of untoward eventually in case of outbreak of an epidemic in the form of Nipah as has been witnessed in Kerala. At present there is no vaccine for Nipah, prevention is the only alternative available. As a precautionary measure we have already contacted National Institute of Virology (NIV) in Pune for conducting tests for samples sent from Telangana whenever it is required. We have also alerted the doctors in all leading hospitals to make special ward arrangements if in case they have to deal with treatment of patients infected with Nipah virus,” informed the Health Minister, giving the government’s preparedness to deal with in case of outbreak of Nipah epidemic in the state.
Apart from alerting the NIV, the health department has also communicated with the authorities of Institute of Preventive Medicine (IPM) to help them gear up to handle the issue in case of emergency.
According to healthcare experts infection with Nipah virus is associated with encephalitis i.e., inflammation of the brain. Patients affected with Nipah virus develop trouble in breathing and brain swelling. Within 7-14 days the affected patients health deteriorates and possibilities of patient going into coma are very high.
With 11 persons reportedly died of mysteries disease and the NIV already confirmed that 3 deaths among them was due to Nipah virus attack, the Kerala government has already set itself on high alert and taking all measures to see that the virus does not spread further. Taking a cue from this development, the Telangana government has also alerted its healthcare staff to be alert to deal with any kind of emergency related to Nipah.
Doctors at Osmanai General Hospital, Gandhi General Hospital, and Niloufer Fever Hospital in Hyderabad and MGM Hospital in Warangal have been alerted and separate ward with five to eight beds are being established. Also directions have been given to collect urine, blood and Celebro Spinal Fluid (CSF) samples from patients showing symptoms of Nipah virus.
The Nipah virus can be transferred through infected bats, pigs or humans who have been infected. Some common signs and symptoms of Nipah Virus are headache, fever, nausea, dizziness, drowsiness and mental issues such as confusion.
The health minister observed that the need of the hour is creating awareness among the public about this virus.