‘Rare virus’ kills three of a family in Kerala’s Kozhikode; relatives, nurse too admitted to hospital
Kozhikode: There is panic in this coastal city of Kerala after three members of a family died due to a ‘rare virus’ over the last fortnight. A woman from the family succumbed at a private hospital at Changaroth near Perambra on Saturday. She had contracted viral encephalitis, reported The Times of India. Health Minister K K Shailaja said they have taken note of the situation.
An emergency meeting of senior health and district administration officials was also held on Saturday night to assess the situation, after which the minister said a “rare virus” was the cause of the deaths.
“Tests conducted at the Manipal virology laboratory have revealed that a rare virus, which is not commonly found in the state, has caused the deaths. The samples have been sent to the National Institute of Virology, Pune to ascertain the exact type of virus. We expect the results by tomorrow (Sunday) or day after,” the minister said, as per the newspaper.
The report said there was panic in the area following the deaths and that the health department has been put on high alert.
Mariyam (50) passed away on Saturday. She was the aunt of VK Salih, who breathed last just a day before on Friday. Salih’s brother Muhammed Sahid (26) was the first one to succumb to the virus at the Kozhikode Medical College on May 5.
In fact, Salih’s fiancée Athifa (19) and his father Moosa are also ill and admitted at different private hospitals in Kochi and Kozhikode. Further, a nurse who works at the Peramba hospital and one relative of Salih who took part in the funeral rites are also admitted at two different hospitals.
While asking the people not to panic and believe the rumours, Health Minister Shailaja said they have informed the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) and asked the Centre to send in a team of medical experts to the affected area.
The minister said the virus is believed to spread through contact with body fluids. The government has asked the Kozhikode Government Medical College Hospital to open a special isolation ward for any future cases connected to the virus.
Related Topics
Related News & Articles
The Nehru-Gandhi family could remain on top for the last 71 years because it could win elections for the party. If it can’t win elections, then why is it ne...
Recently posted . 839 views . 1 min read
A 25-year-old girl was murdered by an unidentified man on Monday night in Chennai's busy Koyambedu flower market.
Recently posted . 690 views . 1 min read
Nipah is a rare virus spread by fruit bats, which can cause flu-like symptoms and brain damage.
Recently posted . 586 views . 1 min read
One of the twins born at Max Hospital's Shalimar Bagh branch was falsely declared dead last Friday. Licence of that particular branch has now been cancelled.<...
Recently posted . 640 views . 1 min read
The Captain Amarinder Singh-led government in Punjab has announced free education for girls in government schools and colleges from Nursery to PhD.
Recently posted . 784 views . 1 min read
Trending News & Articles
While the Uttarakhand High Court has asked to block 857 websites, the Ministry of Electronics and IT (Meity) found 30 portals without any pornographic content.
...
Recently posted . 64K views . 1 min read
The four boys as well as five school officials, including the director and principal, were arrested after the incident. The minors were presented before the Juvenil...
Recently posted . 9K views . 1 min read
Rahul was having an Italian passport and was carrying suitcase full of dollars. Some say it was about was it $2 million.
Rahul and his girl friend was th...
Recently posted . 9K views . 7 min read
True – Tr...
Recently posted . 8K views . 83 min read
More in National
Among the Padma Vibhushan awardees are prominent names like former union ministers Arun Jaitley, Sushma Swaraj and George Fernandes. Sportspersons Mary Kom, PV Sind...
Recently posted. 854 views . 2 min read
Eklavya Foundation work is concentrated in the fields of Education, Health and Community Development which we believe are the areas of greatest need and deserve t...
Recently posted. 639 views . 2 min read
With the revised 2017 rule, you can now transfer your SSY accounts. Though the process of transferring the account is quite simple, it can come with a charge.
Recently posted. 1K views . 1 min read
Recently posted . 1K views
Recently posted . 1K views
Recently posted . 2K views
Recently posted . 3K views
Recently posted . 3K views . 35 min read
Recently posted . 3K views . 87 min read
Realty sites too are feeling the warmth of demonetisation.There has been a plunge of right around 15% to 20% in the quantity of individuals scanning for properties ...
Recently posted. 1K views . 11 min read
Pakistan General elections 2018: The poll results will be keenly watched by New Delhi, especially in the wake of strained relations of the last many years.
Recently posted. 702 views . 1 min read