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An expert team from the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) arrived in Kozhikode on Saturday following the confirmation of a Nipah virus infection in the district, as health authorities stepped up surveillance and containment efforts to prevent any further spread of the disease.

Officials said the ICMR delegation met Kerala Revenue Minister AP Anil Kumar, who is overseeing the district's response to the outbreak, and reviewed the situation with local health authorities. The team also held discussions with doctors, epidemiologists, and district administration officials to assess the containment measures already in place and identify additional steps required to curb transmission.

The ICMR experts are expected to remain in Kozhikode to support the state's response and provide technical guidance on disease surveillance, contact tracing, testing, and infection-control protocols.

In a positive development, health officials confirmed that laboratory tests conducted on three close relatives of the infected patient returned negative results. However, authorities cautioned that surveillance would continue as a precautionary measure, given the highly infectious nature of the virus and its history of causing localized outbreaks in Kerala.

Meanwhile, experts from the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) are also expected to visit the district to assist with epidemiological investigations and risk assessment.

Earlier in the day, Revenue Minister Anil Kumar chaired a high-level review meeting at the office of District Collector MS Madhavikutty. The meeting focused on strengthening containment measures, ensuring adequate treatment facilities for the patient, and monitoring individuals who may have come into contact with the infected person.

Officials reviewed arrangements for isolation wards, testing facilities, protective equipment for healthcare workers, and public awareness campaigns. Authorities were instructed to ensure that all contacts are traced promptly and monitored closely for symptoms.

Nipah virus is a zoonotic disease primarily transmitted from fruit bats to humans and can also spread through direct contact with infected individuals or contaminated materials. Symptoms range from fever and headache to severe respiratory illness and encephalitis. The virus has a high fatality rate, making rapid detection and containment critical.

Kerala has experienced multiple Nipah outbreaks since 2018, particularly in Kozhikode and nearby districts, leading to the development of a robust surveillance and response framework. Health officials have urged the public to remain vigilant, follow hygiene guidelines, and seek immediate medical attention if symptoms such as fever, breathing difficulties, or neurological complications occur.

Authorities emphasized that while the situation is being closely monitored, there is currently no cause for panic, as extensive containment measures have been activated to prevent community transmission.

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