3 Kerala districts on alert after detection of West Nile fever; Thrissur native dies
According to the Kerala health department, West Nile virus – mainly transmitted through mosquito bites – can cause a fatal neurological disease in humans but nearly 80% of those infected do not show any symptoms.
In 2022, Kerala a 47-year-old man succumbed to West Nile fever. The victim, Puthanpurackal Joby, 47, was a native of Panancheri in Thrissur district. (Representational Image) The Kerala Health Department has sounded an alert in the districts of Thrissur, Malappuram and Kozhikode following the detection of the vector-borne West Nile fever. The disease claimed a life in Thrissur on Monday and six other confirmed cases were reported in Kozhikode and Malappuram in the last two days.
Health department officials said the death due to West Nile fever was reported at Vadanappally in Thrissur, where a 79-year-old male patient was identified as the victim. Besides, five other suspected cases of the fever, spread by the Culex species of mosquitoes, have also been reported.
Health Minister Veena George said an alert was issued in these districts and directions were given to the health department officials to intensify vector-control measures in association with local self-government bodies. Vector control units in the districts have collected samples as part of intensifying the control measures, she said.
Share
