Shashi Tharoor Confident Kerala Can Handle Nipah Virus Outbreak
Senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor expressed confidence in Kerala’s ability to manage the recent Nipah virus outbreak, despite the state being an ‘incubator’ for various viruses. Tharoor highlighted Kerala’s advanced health system and its past success in dealing with similar outbreaks.
A 14-year-old boy from Malappuram tested positive for Nipah virus and sadly passed away. The government has taken immediate measures, including active case searches, contact tracing, and isolation of suspects. A multi-member joint outbreak response team from the National ‘One Health Mission’ has been deployed to assist the state.
Health Minister Veena George convened a high-level meeting and assured that the state is fully prepared to tackle the issue. She mentioned that 25 committees have been formed, and isolation wards have been set up in Manjeri and Kozhikode Medical Colleges. A 24-hour Nipah control room has also been established for those showing symptoms.
Preventive measures have intensified, and the public is urged to contact the control room if they exhibit symptoms such as fever, headache, fits, cough, or breathing problems.
Doubts Revealed
Shashi Tharoor -: Shashi Tharoor is a well-known Indian politician, author, and a member of the Indian National Congress party. He is also a Member of Parliament from Kerala.
Kerala -: Kerala is a state in the southern part of India. It is known for its beautiful landscapes, backwaters, and high literacy rate.
Nipah virus -: Nipah virus is a dangerous virus that can spread from animals to humans and can cause serious illness. It was first discovered in Malaysia in 1998.
Malappuram -: Malappuram is a district in the state of Kerala, India. It is known for its rich culture and history.
Contact tracing -: Contact tracing is a method used to find and inform people who may have come into contact with someone who has a contagious disease, so they can take precautions.
Isolation -: Isolation means keeping someone who is sick away from healthy people to prevent the spread of disease.
Health Minister Veena George -: Veena George is the Health Minister of Kerala. She is responsible for managing the health and well-being of people in the state.
Committees -: Committees are groups of people chosen to do specific tasks. In this case, they are working to control the Nipah virus outbreak.
Isolation wards -: Isolation wards are special hospital areas where patients with contagious diseases are kept separate from others to prevent the spread of the disease.