Kozhikode, Kerala - Leader of Opposition Pinarayi Vijayan has expressed concerns over the state government's handling of the Nipah outbreak. A 43-year-old man was admitted to Kozhikode Medical College on June 10, and tests confirmed he was infected with the virus.
Vijayan, a former chief minister, believes the situation is not being handled with the necessary seriousness. He pointed out that the Health Department and government should fully mobilize the healthcare system and take necessary interventions, but such an initiative is not visible at present.
Vijayan also criticized the transfer of Director of Health Services K J Reena, stating it should not have happened during a time when the state was dealing with Shigella cases and a Nipah outbreak.
Nipah is a zoonotic virus that can spread from animals to humans and, in some cases, between humans. It can cause severe respiratory illness and encephalitis, with a high fatality rate.
