Nipah virus: Kozhikode shuts educational institutes until September 24
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Kozhikode: In response to the Nipah virus outbreak, all educational institutions in Kozhikode will remain closed until Sunday, September 24.
This closure applies to schools, professional colleges, and tuition centers. Online classes will be provided during this period, announced the district administration.
Kerala Health Minister, Veena George, said that there are currently 1,080 people on the contact list of infected individuals, with an additional 130 people added on Friday. Among these contacts, 327 are healthcare workers. In other districts, 29 individuals are on the contact list of Nipah-infected people, including 22 from Malappuram, one from Wayanad, and three each from Kannur and Thrissur, reported ANI.
Within the high-risk category, 175 are ordinary citizens, and 122 are healthcare workers.
The number of people on the contact list is expected to increase, as the test result for the person who passed away on August 30 has come back positive, making it the index case of Nipah in the district.
Currently, Kerala has reported six positive cases of the Nipah virus. Seventeen individuals who attended the cremation of the person who died on August 30 have been placed in isolation. Four of the active cases are receiving treatment in hospitals.
In response to the Nipah outbreak, all hospitals treating Nipah cases must establish a medical board that meets twice a day and provides reports to the health department, following state infectious disease control protocols.
This proactive measure aims to contain the spread of the Nipah virus and protect public health in the region.