Kozhikode medicos who stubbed out Nipah threat braces up amid latest scare

_{Kozhikode: An emergency meeting of the experts, who led the battle against Nipah virus here last year, is proceeding at Government Medical College Hospital in light of the likely virus outbreak reported in Ernakulam. According to senior doctors, one expert each from the microbiology, infectious disease and emergency medicine departments have decided to head to Kochi to bring the situation under control, as soon as the virus presence is confirmed in a youth admitted to a private hospital there.}

_{"Doctors from Kozhikode medical college who are experienced in treating patients affected with Nipah virus will reach Kochi. We will also seek the advice of former health secretary Rajeev Sadanandan," Kerala Health Minister K K Shailaja stated on Monday.}

Read: How Kozhikode tamed Nipah so well, so fast

_{Though more doctors from Kozhikode medical college are likely to accompany the team of three experts, the hospital authorities have not revealed the number of doctors and their identity.}

_{As of now, the test result of the suspect case has turned positive as per the reports of the virology institute in Alappuzha and the result from the sample sent to Pune is awaited, said sources at the Kozhikode medical college.}

_{The internal meeting here was chaired by the principal of the medical college.}

_{Kozhikode, in north Kerala, had successfully battled the Nipah virus outbreak that claimed 17 lives ast year.}

_{The health department also convened an emergency meeting in Thrissur following reports that the patient had stayed there. Six people in Thrissur district are also under observation for Nipah symptoms.}

_{Suspect case}

_{The Thrissur District Medical Officer (DMO) confirmed that the youth with suspected Nipah did not contract the disease from the district. She told media that the youth had stayed in Thrissur for four days along with 22 people.}

_{The health department examined the details of all of them and none of them had any symptoms, the DMO said.}

_{"The youth is a student of a private college in Thodupuzha in Idukki district. He was staying in a rented house at Thodupuzha along with four others. He had sought treatment from a local hospital after he caught fever. The hospital referred him to an advanced hospital in Thrissur initially. The college where he studies is also under observation," Idukki District Medical Officer Dr N Priya said.}

_{Meanwhile, isolation wards have already been opened in Kochi, Kalamassery, Kozhikode and Thrissur medical colleges.}

_{Minister urges caution}

_{Early on Monday, Health Minister K K Shailaja had stated that the youth admitted to the private hospital in Kochi is likely infected with the Nipah virus. Her statement follows rumours about a Nipah virus case in the city. Some of the symptoms have been confirmed, she said, while adding, tests of his samples will be out on Monday. Those who have symptoms of the disease should seek treatment immediately, the minister cautioned.}

_{The minister also sought to allay fears of the people saying they are unwarranted.}

_{The minister said medicines brought from Australia are available at the National Virology Institute. The state can avail them if infection is confirmed, she said.}