KERALA'S WEST NILE FEVER: HEALTH DEPARTMENT ON ALERT, ISSUES DIRECTIVES TO TAKE MOSQUITO CONTROL MEASURES

Kerala's health department has reported cases of West Nile fever in several districts in recent days, following which the state government ordered all districts to be vigilant and issued directives to take mosquito control measures by stepping up pre-monsoon cleaning drives and surveillance activities.

As per health officials, five cases of the vector-borne disease were reported in the north Kerala district of Kozhikode on Tuesday, May 6. Other districts that reported West Nile fever cases include Malappuram and Thrissur.

Kozhikode district collector Snehil Kumar Singh said, “Of the five cases reported so far in the district, four have recovered and one is currently under treatment in the government medical college hospital,” reported HT.

“Cases of West Nile Fever have been reported in the district before. It’s similar to dengue. There is no cause for alarm or panic right now. There are no hot spots,” HT quoted Snehil Kumar Singh as saying.

In the wake of these developments, State Health Minister Veena George confirmed in a statement that cases of West Nile viral infection have been reported in the state and that all the districts have been asked to be vigilant. The authorities issued an order to take mosquito control measures to destroy their breeding grounds.

The statement noted that the viral fever is attributed to Culex species of mosquitoes and urged citizens showing signs of fever or other symptoms of the West Nile infection to seek treatment immediately. Meanwhile, the State Health Minister pointed out that there was no need to be concerned.

It is important to note that the West Nile Virus transmission takes place via mosquito bites. Birds are considered the natural hosts of the virus on whom mosquito prey and become infected. The virus doesn't spread through human to human contact.

(With PTI inputs)

2024-05-08T02:26:44Z dg43tfdfdgfd