Central team in Kerala to visit Nipah-affected areas

A central team arrived in Kerala on Wednesday to visit Nipah-affected areas in two northern districts and coordinate preventive efforts. The National Joint Outbreak Response Team, appointed by the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, visited Malappuram district to study the Nipah situation, report it to the Centre, and assist the state in preventive measures, official sources here said. Besides Malappuram, another case of Nipah infection was reported from neighbouring Palakkad district. Dr Pranay Verma, the Joint Director and Public Health Specialist at the National Center for Disease Control (NCDC), is leading the 10-member expert team, an official statement said here. The team also includes scientists from the ICMR-National Institute of Virology, Pune, wildlife specialists, veterinary consultants, and experts from the animal welfare department. They met District Medical Officer (DMO) Dr R Renuka and held discussions. Another National Institute of Virology (NIV) team of eight members led by Dr E Dilip Patil will soon arrive in the district to monitor and survey bats. This team is currently based in Palakkad, the statement added.