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A six-year-old boy living in northern Kerala with West Nile virus died Monday morning.
Health authorities have intensified their vigilance against the spread of the virus, which has not been reported here in recent years.
Mohammed Shan, son of Chekutty of Vengara in Malappuram District, died Monday morning at the Kozhikode Medical College Hospital after about ten days of treatment. The virus has severely affected his brain and nervous system, hospital sources said.
A central team visited Kerala last week after the announcement of the disease. According to the team's advice, a campaign against mosquitoes and migratory birds, the main carriers of the virus, was underway.
The virus would not be pbaded from person to person. There is no preventative vaccination against the virus and measures such as mosquito control and bird death surveillance have been put in place with the support of other agencies such as the Department. of livestock, indicated sources from the Department of Health.
Dr. Sakeena, Chief Medical Officer of Malappuram District, said people did not have to fear the situation because the risks of serious infection with the virus were very low. Only one infected person in 200 to 250 is likely to suffer serious conditions, she said.
She added that all hospitals in the region had been alerted to a thorough review of those seeking treatment for fever, vomiting and dizziness, especially children. Samples would be sent to Manipal or Pune laboratories for testing.
According to sources from the Department of Health, West Nile cases were last reported in the state during the period 2005-2006. It was reported for the first time in Malappuram District.
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