Nipah Virus: Educational institutions in Kozhikode, Wayanad, Malappuram to remain shut
Educational institutions across Kozhikode district will remain closed until June 12, ordered Collector UV Jose on Saturday. This comes in the wake of the district being on high alert owing to a possible second wave of Nipah Virus infection.
As a precautionary measure, Malappuram Collector Amit Meena has also declared that all educational institutions in the district will remain closed and reopen on June 12.
Schools in the neighbouring Wayanad district will also remain shut until June 5 following a notice by Collector S Suhas.
Meanwhile, the death of Thalasshery native Roja (39) at Kozhikode Medical College Hospital on Saturday was not due to the Nipah Virus infection. She had been under observation due to suspected symptoms of Nipah virus infection.
Rajeev Sadanandan, Additional Chief Secretary, Health and Family Welfare, Government of Kerala, told TNM, “Results from Manipal Centre for Virus Research have come and it has confirmed that Roja did not have Nipah virus infection.”
Roja had been to the Kozhikode Medical College Hospital, where a person was undergoing treatment for Nipah virus infection. She later fell sick and was hospitalized at the Pariyaram Medical College in Kannur. When she reported symptoms similar to the Nipah Virus infection, Roja was referred to the Kozhikode Medical College Hospital and was put under observation.
The two confirmed Nipah Virus cases, who have been under treatment, have also been responding well to the antiviral drug Ribavirin so far, said officials. No virus has been detected in their latest blood reports and they would only be discharged when it is confirmed that there is no sign of the virus in their body.
Rajeev Sadanandan said, “Currently there are no patients who need treatment in Kozhikode. The two cases who have been under treatment are cleared of the virus. So, they don’t need the antibodies. We will be administering the antibodies to any fresh case that come up,”
Antibodies arrive from Australia
The antibodies to fight the Nipah Virus have also arrived in Kozhikode. The human monoclonal antibodies (M 102.4) from the University of Queensland, Australia is a non-patented drug, developed by Dr Christopher C Broder. The antibody is still referred by a number and not a name as clinical trials are yet to be completed. This is an antibody and not a vaccine, which can neutralise the effects of the Nipah Virus. It has been found to be effective in vitro (in cells or microorganisms placed in a test tube or culture dish). Reports say it has not been tested on humans so far but can be used on compassionate grounds.
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