Once Again, Women Led Team Control Nipah Virus In Kerala

Kerala has once again successfully controlled the outbreak of the Nipah virus. All credit goes to the collective action of a group of people, led mostly by women.

In 2018, the virus killed 17 people, and in 2021, it claimed a child’s life. This time, the outbreak raised an alarm across the state. Five people had contracted the virus and it claimed the lives of two. However, the fear and concern were combated through collective action.

Women-Led Team

A group of women headed the response to the outbreak in 2018. Kerala Health Minister Veena George, district collector A Geeta, director of the health department Dr KJ Reena, sub-collector Chelsasini, deputy collector E Anithakumari, additional DMO Dr VR Lathika, and surveillance team members including Dr Asha Devi, Dr Seethu, and Dr Shamin Sebastian played significant roles in leading the response.

District Information Officer K. Deepa, along with many others, also provided their support in combating the outbreak of the deadly virus.

The minister in charge of the district, PA Muhamed Riyas, and the district medical officer, Dr K Rajaram, are two of the most important figures who stand out in this.

In 2018, the women leaders who led the response to the Nipah outbreak included then-health minister KK Shailaja, director of the health department Dr RL Saritha, and district medical officer Dr V Jayashree.

Women-Led Team Control Nipah Virus In Kerala

This year, the first death was reported in a private hospital in Kozhikode on August 30. Suspicion arose when two children of the deceased Muhammad Ali sought treatment for fever on September 10.

The information was immediately sent to the health department, and Minister Veena George headed a meeting in Thiruvananthapuram on the evening of September 10. 

The Kozhikode Medical College collected two sets of samples from four people who were treated for fever and from Harris. One was sent to a medical college lab, and the other to the National Institute of Virology in Pune. The result was received on September 11.

The state government initiated protocol immediately upon getting the results from the medical college, even before the NIV released the official announcement. The committee came together, took all preventive measures, and helped in controlling the spread of the deadly disease.

Suggested Reading: What Is Nipah Virus? Here's What You Need To Know