Nipah virus case confirmed in Kerala’s Malappuram district
Malappuram (Kerala), May 8 (PTI): A case of Nipah virus has been confirmed in Kerala’s Malappuram district, health officials said on Thursday.
State Health Minister Veena George said the infection was found in a 42-year-old woman from Ward 2 of Valanchery municipality.
She is currently being treated at a hospital in Perinthalmanna.
The woman first visited a private clinic on April 25 with a fever. On May 1, she was admitted to the hospital after her doctor advised further treatment.
Initial tests in the state pointed to Nipah, and this was later confirmed by the virology lab in Pune.
Twenty-one samples from seven people who had close contact with the patient, including family members, have all tested negative for the virus, according to the Minister.
After the case was confirmed, George visited the district on Thursday and held a high-level meeting at the Collectorate to assess the situation and give necessary instructions. The doctor treating the patient also joined the meeting online, an official release said here.
The state medical board has recommended giving the patient monoclonal antibodies as part of her treatment.
This will be done once the hospital's ethics committee gives its approval.
Although the patient is expected to remain at her current hospital, officials said she may be moved to Manjeri Medical College if her family requests it, the release said.
The area within a three-kilometre radius of her home will be declared a containment zone.
A special order will be issued by the District Collector under the Public Health and Disaster Management Acts.
Restrictions will mainly apply in Valanchery municipality and the nearby Marakkara and Edappal panchayats.
As part of Nipah control measures, 25 special teams have been formed and are already working to trace people who may have come into contact with the patient.
Although the risk of further spread is believed to be low, thorough screening will be carried out, the release said.
All contacts--both high-risk and low-risk--will be kept under observation for 21 days.
The Health Department has made sure that essential medicines are available. Investigations are also underway to find the source of the infection.
A dead cat was found in the area, and the Animal Husbandry Department will test samples to see if it is linked to the case.
Health teams will carry out fever surveys in Valanchery and nearby panchayats, it said.
Hospitals have been instructed to strictly follow infection control protocols.
In light of the situation, the minister urged the public to remain alert.
The Minister asked people to wear masks, use hand sanitiser, and avoid unnecessary visits to hospitals.
At the ongoing "Ente Keralam" exhibition in Kottakkunnu, which marks the state government's fourth anniversary, wearing masks and using sanitiser has now been made compulsory, the release added.
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Sringeri postal ballot recount: Cong MLA Raje Gowda’s tally reduced by 255 votes
Chikkamagaluru (Karnataka) (PTI): After the reverification and recount of postal ballots for the Sringeri Assembly constituency, votes polled for Congress MLA T D Raje Gowda were reduced by 255, the returning officer said.
A report on the matter has been submitted to the Election Commission for further decision, he said.
Following a Karnataka High Court order on the election petition filed by BJP’s defeated candidate D N Jeevaraj challenging Raje Gowda’s election, the reverification and recounting took place on Saturday and continued until midnight.
Raje Gowda had won the 2023 Assembly polls from Sringeri by 201 votes.
“The High Court on April 6 had ordered reverification and recounting. As per that order, the exercise has been completed. The court order did not direct us to announce the results; it also did not refer to EVM votes. The order was specific only to postal ballots,” returning officer Gaurav Kumar Shetty said.
Speaking to reporters late on Saturday night, he said, “During the 2023 vote counting, Jeevaraj had received 692 votes, while Raje Gowda had received 569 votes. Now, after reverification and recounting, Jeevaraj has 690 valid votes, which is two votes less than earlier, while Raje Gowda has 314 votes, a difference of 255 votes.”
After the reverification and recounting as per the court order, the strong room was sealed, and a report was sent to the Election Commission.
The returning officer said that as per Election Commission rules, there are clear guidelines on how to accept or reject a vote, and the procedure was followed accordingly.
Regarding allegations of vote tampering, he said the allegations are criminal in nature and do not fall under his jurisdiction.
Jeevaraj, speaking to reporters, said, “As per the current count, I have the majority. Officials have said that the Election Commission will make the formal announcement. I will wait for the Commission’s order.”
Raje Gowda expressed doubts about “vote tampering” and demanded a detailed inquiry into Jeevaraj and others. He said he would file a case in this regard.
“There are markings on the ballots polled in my favour. Different ink has been used; it is clearly visible. During the 2023 counting, all those ballots were deemed valid in the presence of counting agents of all parties. Now, such votes have been declared invalid, bringing down my tally,” he told reporters.
Raje Gowda and his supporters had earlier celebrated on Saturday, claiming the results were in their favour.
Meanwhile, Deputy Chief Minister and state Congress president D K Shivakumar on Sunday alleged a “big conspiracy” in Sringeri.
Speaking to reporters in Bengaluru, he said the Congress would take up the matter legally and would pursue all possible steps from the government.
“No one can imagine that they (the BJP) will indulge in such criminal activity. This is evidence of how former MLA Jeevaraj misused officials close to him. I have received a report, and I am studying it. It is systematic criminal activity. I will go through the report and take further action. I had been watching developments overnight,” he added.
State BJP president B Y Vijayendra said that, as per his information, the Congress was pressuring officials not to declare the results.
Speaking to reporters in Tumakuru, he said, “Jeevaraj, after losing the election, went to court. Now, after the High Court order, recounting has happened, and Jeevaraj has won by 56 votes. There appears to be a conspiracy by the ruling Congress to delay the announcement of results to allow Raje Gowda time to approach the High Court.”
Jeevaraj has already faced “injustice” for about three years by being denied the MLA post, Vijayendra said. “The injustice should not continue, and the Congress should accept the mandate of the people.”
Leader of Opposition R Ashoka accused the Congress and its leader, Rahul Gandhi, of “vote theft.”
“The Congress, which has been illegitimately enjoying power in the Sringeri Assembly seat for the past three years, now faces humiliation. This is not merely the victory of one individual; it is the victory of democracy. It is a hard-earned triumph for the value of the votes cast by Sringeri’s voters,” he posted on X, congratulating Jeevaraj.
