Home / Health / Nipah Outbreak: Minister Defends Kozhikode Response
Nipah Outbreak: Minister Defends Kozhikode Response
14 Jun
Summary
- Health Minister asserts no need to be present in Kozhikode for coordination.
- Only one Nipah patient remains in serious condition; 29 samples negative.
- Former DHS transferred for not communicating lab results promptly.
Health Minister K. Muraleedharan addressed allegations of inadequate coordination regarding the Nipah infection in Kozhikode. He asserted that his presence in the city was unnecessary, as he could manage coordination effectively from Thiruvananthapuram. The Minister also highlighted that the current situation, with 29 out of 30 samples testing negative, did not necessitate a containment zone declaration for Ramanattukara.
The Minister clarified that the infected individual was admitted in a serious condition but received timely medical attention, including the antiviral drug ribavirin and a newly procured remdesivir. He also defended the transfer of former Director of Health Services, K.J. Reena, attributing it to her failure to promptly communicate Nipah test results received on June 11 afternoon.
Separately, the Minister reported 135 shigellosis cases in Kerala since January 1, 2026, with 68 in Kozhikode. Three deaths have been recorded, two in Kozhikode. He also mentioned a cholera case in Palakkad, stating the District Medical Officer had been warned for premature claims about the absence of cases.
