Malappuram: Health Minister Veena George has announced that seven individuals in Malappuram are showing symptoms of the Nipah virus. The contact list of a young man who died from the virus includes 267 people, 37 of whom have tested negative. Samples from the remaining individuals will be sent for testing soon.
Meanwhile, the results of close relatives of the young man, including his mother and the treating doctor, have all tested negative. This brings the total number of negative test results to 63. Health Minister Veena George emphasized that precautions are being intensified to ensure that no further cases of Nipah virus infection arise.
The health department has reported that mental health support is being provided to those included in the contact list. Today, 226 individuals, including 11 people, received mental health support through the call center. As part of the field survey, a total of 1,044 households in the Mampad, Thiruvalli, and Vandur panchayats were surveyed today. Overall, surveys have been completed in 7,953 households to date, according to health department officials.
Health Minister Updates on Monkeypox case in Malappuram
The contact list of a confirmed monkeypox case in Malappuram has also been released, comprising 23 individuals whose samples will be collected for testing. Additionally, 43 passengers from the flight who traveled with the affected individual from Dubai have been identified. The health minister confirmed that these individuals will also be tracked.
Currently, the health condition of the patient receiving treatment is satisfactory. The confirmed case involves a resident of Edavanna in Malappuram who returned from the UAE, leading to intensified testing and cautionary measures. The health department has advised that anyone arriving from other countries who exhibits symptoms should seek treatment and inform health authorities.
Symptoms
Initial symptoms include fever, severe headache, body aches, abdominal pain, muscle pain, and fatigue. Within a week of onset, rashes and red spots may appear on the body, particularly on the face and limbs. These rashes may also manifest on the hands, genitals, and eyes.
Transmission
Unlike COVID-19 or H1N1 influenza, monkeypox is not an airborne disease. The virus can spread through direct contact with an infected person, touching contaminated surfaces, sexual contact, or through close interactions without adhering to safety guidelines.
