Nipah Virus Scare!! - Public Health Dept announces the screening of all people in the TN border districts now!!
Posted on: 14/Sep/2023 9:28:46 AM
If it was the Coronavirus scare in the past that created issues for the people, it is the Nipah Virus scare now that is creating issues!!
On Wednesday, 13th September 2023, the Public Health Department belonging to Tami Nadu announced that it would screen people belonging to 6 districts bordering Kerala for Nipah virus.
It is now said that those with symptoms like fever, vomiting, sore throat, dizziness, drowsiness and altered consciousness etc would be isolated and hospitalized for further treatments etc.
It was later explained by Dr. T. Selvavinayagam, DPH that the directorate had advised districts such as Coimbatore, Tiruppur, Nilgris, Theni, Kanniyakumari and Tenkasi etc to step up medical surveillance at the inter-state border check posts. He spoke about how the hospitals present in these districts have been asked to keep medicines, ICUs and wards etc ready. He concluded that the para medical staff would be sensitized and trained in the treatment protocols.
At the Walayar check post which is one of the 13 main entry points from Kerala state to Coimbatore, a medical team led by a health inspector monitored the passengers. Checking for the Nipah virus symptoms was conducted on the passengers and their addresses were obtained.
Fever camps to be organised:
As per the Coimbatore deputy collector of health services or DCHS, P. Aruna it was confirmed that mobile medical units have been instructed to conduct fever camps in the villages near the TN border. The surveillance would be carried out for 24 hours. She highlighted that both private as well as the government hospitals have been asked to report fever cases in the IDSP portal. In addition, follow ups on those patients who come with symptoms of acute encephalitis syndrome would also be done. It is learnt that the government hospitals belonging to the southern districts in TN have been asked to prepare isolation facilities for the suspected patients.
