Lok Sabha Question No. 177 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-06-21
Subject: Study on Nipah Virus
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: Suresh Kodikunnil

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 177 TO BE ANSWERED ON 21 ST JUNE,2019

## STUDY ON NIPAH VIRUS

## 177. SHRI KODIKUNNIL SURESH:

Will the Minister of HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has made any assessment of the ongoing processes of Nipah virus outbreak control in Kerala State, where a fresh case has been confirmed and if so, the details thereof and the action takenby the Government in this regard;
- (b)  whether  the  Government  has sought  information  about  individuals affected  by  the  Nipah virus in Kerala and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether any fatality has been reported from Kerala consequential to the outbreak and if so, the details thereof;
- (d) whether the Government has conducted any in - depth  study  through  the National virology institute in the country for ascertaining the origin and reasons specific of this epidemic; and
- (e) if so, the details ther eof and the action taken by the Government thereon?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE (SHRI ASHWINI KUMAR CHOUBEY)

- (a): Yes, in the first week of June, 2019 outbreak of Nipah virus disease has been reported from Kerala. Immediately, the Union Health & Family Welfare Minister took a review meeti and  a  Multi - disciplinary  Central  teams  consisting  of  experts  from  the  National  Centre Disease  Control  (NCDC),  All  India  Institut e  of  Medical  Sciences  (AIIMS)  and  the  Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) was deployed in the affected district to assist and gui State  health  authorities.  The  team  is  supporting  the  State  in  investigations,  contac sample testing and management of the Nipah Virus Disease (NiVD). Point of Care Test facilit has  been  established  by  the  National  Institute  of  Virology  (NIV),  Pune  at  Medical  Co Ernakulum.  Experts  from  National  Institute  of  High  Security  Animal  Diseases  (NIHSAD) Bhopal were  also  involved  with  the  local  Animal  Husbandry  Department  in  investigatio Government  of  India  is  closely  monitoring  and assessing  the  situation  at  the  highest  level including by the Union Health & Family Welfare Minister .

## (b) : One case of Nipah vir us disease has been reported from Ernakulam District of Kerala.

## (c) : No

(d) & (e) : NIV, Pune deputed special teams to collect samples from Pteropus or fruit b which are the main reservoir of Nipah virus disease. Out of 36 Pteropus species bats te for Nipah, 12 (33%) were found to be positive for 'anti Nipah bat IgG antibodies'. Strategic Health Operation Centre (SHOC) at NCDC has been activated since 4th June, 2019 and is coordinat with  field  teams  on  surveillance  and  response  activities  for  Ni pah  containment.  A  dedicated phone- line has been established at SHOC to answer queries of general public. Further, sp case  definition,  contact  tracing  and  treatment  &  clinical  management  protocol  have provided to State authorities of Kerala.