Some schools shut and curbs imposed on public gathering in Kerala after two people died of Nipah, a virus from bats or pigs that causes deadly fever.

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The virus has no vaccine and a fatality rate ranging from 40 to 75 percent, according to the World Health Organization.

Symptoms include intense fever, vomiting and a respiratory infection, but severe cases can involve seizures and encephalitis, an inflammation of the brain, and result in a coma.

The Nipah virus strain seen in the state was the Bangladesh variant that spreads from human to human and has a high mortality rate, though it is less infectious, the government said. “People living in forest areas have to take the highest precautions,” George had said, adding that the latest case of the Nipah virus originated within five kilometres of a jungle area.

In the wake of the rising Nipah virus cases, neighbouring Tamil Nadu state announced that travellers coming from Kerala would be subjected to medical tests and those with flu symptoms would be isolated.

700 people including 153 health workers who came in contact with those infected are under observation, health officials said.

The locals have blamed poor water quality for the jaundice outbreak in the Riyar area of Khansahib block in central Kashmir’s Budgam district.

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The locals told that the Jal Shakti Department has failed to provide safe drinking water in the village, which has led to the outbreak of jaundice and claimed the life of a minor.

“The water is polluted and infected as the water tank hasn’t been cleaned for decades,” they alleged.

The people have requested the authorities to take serious note of the “life-threatening” issue.

A health official told that so far, 38 jaundice cases have been reported in the area and among them one person has died while the condition of others is stable.

He said that a 10-year-old boy identified as Abid, son of Abdul Salam from Riyar village of Khansahib, who was tested positive for jaundice following a jaundice outbreak, triggered by the supply of contaminated water.

Dr Mir Mushtaq, spokesperson of the Directorate of Health Services Kashmir (DHSK) told that “untiring” efforts are being made at Raiyar to curb jaundice through surveillance and rapid response teams of block Khansahib.

Simultaneously, the paediatric patients have been seen by the Pediatrician at SDH, Khansahib and blood tests have been conducted for detecting the disease, he said, adding that the screening process is on and thousands of people have been screened so far in the area.

“The situation is under control,” the DHSK spokesperson said.

Already, around 2,000 people have been screened among which 38 have been reported positive, he said, adding that no positive case was reported in the last three days.

“The ASHA workers of the concerned areas along with health workers have been distributing chlorine tablets and ORS packets among the inhabitants at door steps while field staff are continuously educating the people to take safe drinking water and also demonstrating the steps of hand washing to the people of this area,” Mushtaq said. KNO

A Jaundice outbreak has been reported at Riyar area of Khansahib block in Central Kashmir’s Budgam district, where one person has died so far and seven others have tested positive for the disease.

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A health official told that so far eight jaundice cases have been reported in the area and among them one person has died while the condition of seven others is stable.

He said that a 10-year-old boy identified as Abid, son of Ab Salam from Riyar village of Khansahib, who was tested positive for jaundice, died two days before following a jaundice outbreak, triggered by the supply of contaminated water.

Dr Mir Mushtaq, Spokesperson of Directorate of Health Services Kashmir (DHSK) told that untiring efforts are being made at Raiyar for curbing jaundice by the surveillance and rapid response teams of block Khansahib.

He said that teams under control of Incharge Medical Officer Raiyar, Dr Ishfaq Ahmad Banday are doing a tremendous job and have screened hundreds of people for detection of raising of serum Bilirubin.

“Simultaneously on the other hand, paediatric patients have been seen by the Pediatrician at SDH, Khansahib and have conducted blood tests at SDH for detecting this disease,” he said.

He added that the screening process is on and thousands of people have been screened so far in this area and the situation is well under control.

He added that 1430 patients have been screened so far, 370 screened by paediatricians, 123 samples taken for investigation of jaundice, 30 patients are under surveillance, 160 samples taken for LFT, 438 samples taken for serum bilirubin, 10 taken for coagulogram were found normal and three water samples were taken by IDSP.

The remote area is located approximately eight kilometres from Block Headquarter and around 26 km from District Headquarter Budgam. The nearest health facility available is the PHC Riyar.

“Situation regarding the intensity of this disease is well under control,” he said.

ASHAs of concerned areas along with health workers have been distributing chlorine tablets and ORS packets among the inhabitants at door steps while field staff are continuously educating the people to take safe drinking water and also demonstrating the steps of hand washing to the people of this area,” Mir Mushtaq said.

“Keeping in view the customs, beliefs of these Tribals, IEC and effective communication skills needs to be communicated for some more days in order to convince the tribal people to maintain and enhance the hygiene & take boiled water,” he added. KNO