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EDITOR IN CHIEF- ABDULLAH BIN SALIM AL SHUEILI

Oman MOH issues nipah virus travel advisory

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Muscat: The Ministry of Health (MOH) said it is following up the epidemiological situation of nipah virus in southern Indian state of Kerala.


MoH has urged citizens and residents to avoid travelling to Kozhikode and Malappuram in Kerala, unless it is absolutely necessary.


The ministry requested those coming fr0m these areas to go to health institutions in case any symptoms such as fever appears within the three weeks of their return.


The ministry also said the possibility of transmission of these disease through the fruits imported from India is very slight and nearly absent, but it is important to wash fruits and vegetables before consumption.


The Nipah virus is newly emerging disease transmitted through fruit bats. The infections of the virus have several clinical symptoms including fever and acute respiratory syndrome that may develop into encephalitis. Based on the current data and continues cooperation between the


MOH, World Health Organization (WHO) and the Ministry of Health of the Republic of India, the Directorate assessed the risk of spread of infection outside Kerala.


The Ministry has prepared a guidebook on dealing with the suspected cases of the disease and circulated to all health institutions in the Sultanate. It also provided the laboratory reagents using in diagnosing the disease.


Furthermore, the Ministry affirms that all citizens and residents must take the information from its official sources or contact the Ministry via the MOH Contact Center at (24441999) in case of any queries.


Oman’s Embassy in India has warned citizens not to travel to the southern Indian state of Kerala due to the spread of Nipah virus.


The embassy said, “Avoid travel except in the extreme necessary cases, take precautions, stay away from crowded places and avoid consumption of fruits and vegetables.”


 


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