Security measures tightened up in Tamil Nadu after Nipah virus reported in neigbouring Kerala

Coimbatore Collector GS Sameeran Monday also issued a clarification stating that no case has been identified in the district after a false report emerged on social media.

Speaking to indianexpress.com Sameeran said the district administration has intensified the screening at check-posts along the Tamil Nadu-Kerala border and is implementing all the safety guidelines that are issued to prevent the spread of vector-borne infectious diseases.

“We are taking preventive measures. We are implementing steps to strengthen the fever surveillance. If a patient visits health centers with a higher temperature, we have instructed the doctors to carry tests for Zika, Nipah, or other viral infections like dengue before sending them home. We have also told them not to simply provide paracetamol and send them, we are monitoring the distribution of antipyretic drugs,” he said.

Health Secretary J Radhakrishnan had asked people not to panic and follow the safety guidelines issued by the government.