Kochi: A six-member team consisting of expert doctors from AIIMS, New Delhi, reached Kochi on Tuesday (June 4) morning for epidemiological investigation protocol. The central team will discuss the present situation with officials of the health department in the state and take further steps. The team will also conduct contact tracking for early detection of suspects, test protocols for suspects and review isolation facilities. 

Union health minister Harsh Vardhan had ensured all help to the state in the wake of the presence of the virus. He also said people should not panic as the state government had arranged all the facilities.  He also had talks with Kerala health minister KK Shailaja and evaluated things after convening a meeting with many including Union health secretary.

Also read: Kerala youth infected with Nipah virus; CM Pinarayi Vijayan tells people to be alert

Control rooms under the leadership of Union health ministry have been opened in Delhi after the virus was confirmed in the state. The control room number in Delhi is 01123978046.

One person from Kochi's Ernakulam tested positive in the results, despatched by the Pune Virology Institute. The condition of the youth is stable. He is now out of any sort of support and is fine, said Kerala Health Minister KK Shailaja.

The state government is also flying in medicines, sourced from Australia. The medicine is used in preventive treatment for people who were exposed to the Hendra virus in Australia before.

A year ago, Nipah virus had claimed 18 lives in Kerala’s Kozhikode. There is no vaccine for the disease caused by Nipah virus attack. Primary treatment can be intensive supportive care. According to WHO, treatment is limited because Nipah virus encephalitis can be transmitted person-to-person. Standard infection control practices and proper barrier nursing techniques are essential in preventing hospital-acquired infections.