Mangaluru: Dakshina Kannada district in-charge Minister U T Khader convened a meeting with officials of district health department with regard to the Nipah virus, which has been reported in the neighbouring state of Kerala and asked them to be alert to ensure none would fall victim to the same, on Monday, June 10.
Khader asked District Health Officer (DHO) Dr Ramakrishna Rao to issue a circular to all the health centres in district to be alert on Nipah virus and to take all appropriate measures. Awareness programmes should be held in all schools and colleges and students should be briefed about how people can take precautionary measures to tackle this virus. People should not opt for local indigenous medicine practitioners.
DHO Ramakrishna Rao informed that people should not eat fruits that may have been bitten by birds and animals and precautionary measures should be taken when visiting the infected areas. People should isolate infected livestock such as pigs, dog, cats as they act as the intermediate host. Visit the nearest health centres in case of any flu-like illness, he informed.
Meanwhile, Khader directed the officials of homeguards, fire personnel and forest department to be alert to face the monsoon challenges.
Deputy Commissioner Sasikanth Senthil, Zilla Panchayat Chief Executive Officer Selvamani R among others were present.
