Nipah: Maharashtra govt takes preventive steps

Mumbai: The state government has take proactive measures to tackle the threat of Nipah Virus that has claimed lives of 10 people in Kerala. State health minister Dr Deepak Sawant on Tuesday stated that no cause of Nipah virus has been detected in Maharashtra so far but preventive measures are being taken. Steps such as setting up of isolation wards in civil and state-run hospitals and directing doctors to wear full protective gear if a patient comes for treatment are being taken. Nipah is a newly emerged virus transfers from Bats to animals to humans. There is no vaccine to counter it.

The minister said that all hospitals in state have been asked to report to state if they come across anyone with symptoms similar to the Nipah virus or if a patient has recently returned from Kerela.

The blood sample and body fluids of person showing symptoms similar to the Nipah virus will be sent for testing to the National Institute of Virology in Pune. A senior railway officer said, “We have not received any directive from the state but we are monitoring the situation.”

Private and state-run hospitals were directed to take preventive measures. State has sent instructions to Kasturba Hospital in Mumbai and all major state-run hospitals to start isolation ward.

“No patient affected by Nipah virus in Kerala has been found in Maharashtra. There is no need to panic but if any symptoms of this ailment are observed, person should immediately visit doctors,” said Mr Sawant.

He also addressed a meeting at Mantralaya in this regard today. Principal secretary of health department Dr Pradip Vyas, commissioner of national health mission Dr Sanjiv kumar, DHS Dr Sanjiv Kamble, member of infectious diseases controlling committee Dr Om Shrivastava, additional campaign director Dr Satish Pawar and others, chaired the meeting.

Dr Sawant said,  “The directives to take preventive measures and treatment for this disease are being sent to all the hospitals and dispensaries in the state.”

Dr Madhav Sathe a senior microbiologist from civic run KEM hospital said, “Since there is no Vaccine available for Nipah virus the primary treatment for patients is intensive supportive care and isolation.”

Dr Ashesh Bhumkar, an ENT specialist said, “Any symptoms of fever noted must consult the medico on urgent basis.” He added, “The likely symptoms of Nipah viral disease are fever, body ache, headache, drowsiness, mental confusion, unconsciousness, etc. If anyone is found suffering with such symptoms, especially, anyone coming from Kerala, he should be immediately directed to visit the doctors at the nearest hospital.”

According to the infectious diseases controlling committee member, Dr Om Shrivastava, “Doctors and health workers should take all steps as per World Health Organization's universal precautions. Avoid eating fruits fallen from trees in fields, or jungles or at other places, and keep the Nipah virus patients in isolation.”

How does the virus transfer:

It transfers from animals like pigs and bats to humans.

Likely symptoms of Nipah virus:

Fever, body ache, headache, drowsiness, mental confusion,unconsciousness, etc.
Natural hosts of this virus are fruit bats

Precautions to be taken:

 Avoid eating fruits fallen from trees in fields, jungles.

Avoid drinking toddy brewed in open containers near palm trees.

Staying away from an infected person is important.

Clean your clothes, utensils and bathroom items like mugs and buckets separately.

Who can be affected:

The disease can affect those attending the patients including the health workers, and relatives etc. Therefore, such patients are to be kept in isolation