Nipah virus: Karnataka government issues circular to strengthen surveillance

Integrated Disease Surveillance Program, Directorate of Health and Family Welfare Services, Karnataka, on Wednesday, June 5 issued a circular in view of detection of Nipah virus in Kerala. circular calls for strengning surveillance activity in view of disease. 

"So far, NiV has infected 477 people and killed 248 since 1998. Outbreaks of Nipah in South Asia have a strong seasonal pattern and a limited geographical range. case fatality rate of NiV ranges from 40- 70% although it has been as high as 100 per cent in some outbreaks. In 2018, 18 cases and 16 deaths have been reported from Kozhikode and Malappuram districts of Kerala", circular re.

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It also cited reports of a 23-year-old student from Kerala being tested positive for disease while stating that surveillance activity has to be strengned.

circular has directed that an interdepartmental co-ordination committee meeting be convened immediately including officials from veterinary department, IMA, and IAP, in districts which are vulnerable to virus namely Chamarajanagara, Mysuru, Kodagu, Dakshina Kanna, Uttara Kanna, Udupi, Shivamogga and Chikkamagaluru.

government has also asked for identifying two isolation beds to isolate suspected human case and for making sure all necessary logistics are available at all levels.
Nipah Virus Infection (NiV) is an emerging infectious disease of public health importance in South-East Asia Region.

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virus is named after Malaysian vill where it was first discovered. This virus along with Hendra virus comprises a new genus designated Henipavirus in subfamily Paramyxovirinae