Two days after the reports of a seven-year-old found positive for West Nile Virus in Malappuram district of Kerela, Union Health Ministry on Thursday released a statement confirming required measures for controlling the virus. The disease is a mosquito-borne disease mostly found in the continental United States of America, and this is the first confirmed case that has been reported in India. The patient was suffering from fever from last few days and was shifted to the Kozhikode Medical College, where the tests confirmed WNV.
"We are vigilant and have extended all the help to the state. The child is responding to the treatment given to him at the Medical College and we are wishing a speedy recovery for him. We will also ask ICMR to conduct some preliminary research," said Preeti Sudan, Secretary, MoHFW.
An Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has also been alerted on the virus and has been asked to keep a close watch on it at Central and State level.
Sudan held a meeting with Rajeev Sadanandan, Additional Chief Secretary, Kerala and reviewed the situation. The Health Ministry has dispatched a multi-disciplinary central team from the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC). The team includes Dr Ruchi Jain, RHO Trivandrum, Dr Suneet Kaur, Assitant Director, NCDC, Dr E Rajendran, Entomologist, NCDC, Calicut and Dr Binoy Basu, EIS Officer, NCDC. The team will support the State Health Authorities in managing the disease.
"Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare is closely monitoring the situation and has spoken to the State Health Minister of Kerala in this regard. He has directed for all support to be extended to Kerala in its prevention and Management. There are no reports available so far for the spread of this virus in other parts of the country," stated the Ministry.
Last year, a suspected case of WNV was reported in Kozhikode on a 24-year-old woman.
First Case
- The disease is a mosquito-borne disease mostly found in the continental America.
- Seven-year-old found positive for West Nile Virus in Malappuram district of Kerela
