Kinkini Gupta
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Written By: Kinkini Gupta | Updated : May 9, 2024 11:50 AM IST
West Nile Virus Detected In Kerala, 3 Districts On High Alert: Here's All You Need To Know About This Disease
According to the reports by the health officials, Kozhikode district of Kerala has recorded at least 5 cases of West Nile Virus. Recently the Health Department of Kerala also alerted three districts Thrissur, Malappuram and Kozhikode regarding the possible spread of West Nile Virus. Some cases have been reported in these districts as well. In Thrissur district, this virus claimed one life on Monday. As per reports from the surveillance teams in Kozhikode district, all the people who were infected are now recovering from their homes except one person who is undergoing treatment. State Health Minister Veena George confirmed to the media, "Cases of the viral infection have been reported in the state and that all the districts have been asked to be vigilant."
The Health Minister of Kerala Veena George said to the media that, actions are being taken to initiate vector control in these particular districts in association with local self-government bodies.. Besides that, all the districts have been alerted of a probable spread. As part of the vector-control measures, control units in the districts have started collecting samples also.
According to World Health Organisation (WHO), West Nile Virus (WNV) is a neurological disease spread from animals and are often fatal among humans. But, one thing that should be noted about West Nile Virus is that, for almost 80 percent of the people who get infected, do not show any symptoms. This disease is spre4ad through mosquitoes and birds are the natural hosts of this disease. WHO says, 'In India, West Nile fever was first detected in Kerala in 2011, when 208 cases of acute encephalitis syndrome (AES) were reported, and over 40 per cent of those cases were found to be West Nile fever.'
