Kozhikode: Health Minister Veena George said that in the case of Nipah virus being confirmed in Kozhikode district, the state level control room has been started in the Directorate of Health. While the control room is functioning in Kozhikode district, nodal officers have been appointed in other districts and phone numbers have also been made available for contacting the public. Apart from this State Control Room was started for State level coordination. Call 0471 2302160 from 10 am to 6 pm. The Minister also stated that the direction can be contacted on toll free numbers 1056, 104 and 0471 2552056 24 hours for clearing doubts.
A high-level meeting of the health department was held under the leadership of the minister as part of preventive measures. The districts have been given guidelines related to Nipah disease and have reviewed the activities and given necessary instructions. A rapid response team consisting of expert doctors from the medical college, officials from health department, animal husbandry and forest department, drugs controller, food safety commissioner, state public health lab and Alappuzha National Institute of Virology also joined the meeting.
To set up a dedicated ambulance, isolation ward and special triage for those with influenza symptoms in all districts to shift suspected Nipah virus patients to hospitals in case of need, PPE Instructions are also given to secure materials including kits. Kaniv 108 Ambulance service has also been ensured.
