Dengue: Health dept steps up preventive measures

Coimbatore: With six active dengue cases in the district as of September 16 (Saturday), the health department has stepped up its preventive measures to control the spread of the vector-borne disease.“We have implemented a special control measure for identifying teri-domestic sources (sources of domestic waste). For this, the domestic breeding checkers (DBCs) will collaborate with scrap dealers to remove wastes that pile up in and around a house and become a potential breeding ground for dengue-causing mosquitoes,” P Aruna, deputy director of health services (DDHS), told TOI. Around 200 scrap dealers have been identified in the district for this purpose.The DDHS said the local bodies are conducting cleaning drives, checking overhead tanks, and clearing water stagnation in school zones. “Fogging activities have been intensified in areas that report fever cases,” she added.The health department is also collecting fever case reports from local medical practitioners. “This would help us track and identify those who develop serious illness in the later stage and provide treatment before it’s too late,’ the DDHS said.Asked about the status of nipah virus here, Aruna said no cases have been detected in the district so far. “We have stepped up surveillance at the Walayar inter-state border check post and are conducting special fever camps in bordering villages,” she said.

Nipah Virus scare: Border districts in TN begin fever screening

The state of Tamil Nadu will conduct screenings for the Nipah virus in six districts bordering Kerala. People showing symptoms such as fever, body aches, vomiting, and sore throat will be isolated and hospitalized. Medical surveillance will be increased at inter-state border checkposts, and hospitals have been instructed to be prepared with necessary resources. Fever camps will be conducted in villages near the state border, and both government and private hospitals will report cases in the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme. Isolation facilities have been prepared in case of suspected patients.

Kerala govt working to identify area, source of first Nipah virus case

The Kerala state government is searching for the source of the Nipah virus infection by examining the mobile tower locations of the index case. The government is also conducting contact tracing and collecting bat samples to determine the viral load. No new positive cases have been reported, and 94 samples have tested negative. Those infected are part of two clusters: family members of the index case and individuals who came into contact with him at the hospital. Efforts are being made to import a new version of the monoclonal antibody for treatment.

Nipah alert in Kerala: Karnataka's Dakshina Kannada district strengthens fever surveillance

The health department in Dakshina Kannada district, Karnataka, has increased surveillance for fever following two Nipah virus deaths in neighboring Kozhikode district, Kerala. Primary health centers have been instructed to be vigilant and an isolation ward has been set up at Wenlock District Hospital. Private hospitals have also been advised to inform health officials if they come across symptomatic cases. The public has been urged to seek medical consultation if they have a fever and to not panic, as not all cases are Nipah. Precautions such as isolation and proper hygiene practices have been emphasized to prevent the spread of the virus.