Bhatkal: In light of the Nipah virus outbreak in Kerala, the Karnataka government has taken immediate measures to strengthen surveillance in its border districts. Kerala has reported five Nipah virus cases, with two resulting in fatalities, all concentrated in Kozhikode.

The Karnataka government issued a circular, citing the four confirmed Nipah cases and two deaths in Kozhikode, emphasizing the need to intensify surveillance activities in districts bordering Kerala to prevent the spread of infection.

To implement these precautions, the Karnataka government plans to establish fever surveillance check posts at entry points from Kerala to Karnataka, following the Nipah prevention guidelines issued by the Health Department.

کیرالہ کے کالی کٹ میں نیپا وائرس کی تصدیق کے بعد کرناٹک میں الرٹ؛ سرحد پربخارکی جانچ کے چیک پوسٹ

Fever surveillance efforts will be heightened in the four border districts of Mysuru, Chamarajanagar, Dakshina Kannada, and Kodagu. While travel restrictions will not be imposed, the public will be advised against visiting Kozhikode district, where Nipah cases have been reported.

To handle potential cases, all district hospitals will reserve at least two beds for quarantine purposes, and negative pressure ICUs (which prevent the spread of infection outside the ICU) will be identified, with the possibility of increasing the bed capacity as needed.

In preparation for potential cases, hospitals will ensure an adequate supply of essential drugs, oxygen, personal protective equipment (PPE), and materials required for sample collection and transport.

To enhance preparedness, a virtual consultation with district health officers (DHOs) was conducted to train health staff, down to the primary health center level, in identifying and handling suspected cases. District Rapid Response Teams have been put on alert, and all private health establishments are required to report any suspected Nipah cases to the relevant DHO.

Strict adherence to the guidelines issued by the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) for detecting cases is emphasized. Suspected Nipah patients and their contacts will be monitored throughout the incubation period.

The four border districts have been instructed to submit a compliance report regarding these preventive measures without delay.

According to the NCDC's guidelines, a suspected Nipah case is currently defined as a person from the affected community in Kozhikode who exhibits symptoms such as fever with headache, cough, or shortness of breath, altered mental status, or seizure. Nipah cases are known to occur in clusters or outbreaks.

The case fatality rate for Nipah is estimated to be between 40-75%, with the potential to reach 100%. The virus primarily spreads from bats to humans, resulting in a higher transmission rate during this primary spread. However, secondary transmission from humans to humans is relatively low.

As the Nipah virus is classified as a biosecurity level-4 (BSL-4) agent, all samples will be sent to the designated testing lab, the National Institute of Virology in Pune, as per the guidelines. These guidelines provide detailed instructions on how health staff should collect samples and obtain the person's medical history.

The Karnataka government is taking these measures to ensure the safety and well-being of its residents in light of the Nipah virus threat from neighboring Kerala.