more-in Health Minister K.K. Shylaja has dispelled rumours of an epidemic outbreak at Changaroth near Perambra in Kozhikode even as a third member of a family died due to viral encephalitis on Saturday. At a late-night press meet, she said the nature of the virus which caused the disease was yet to be ascertained. “That kind of a virus has not yet been observed in the State. Blood and other samples of the deceased have been sent to the National Virology Institute, Pune, and the results will be made available in the next two to three days. Until then, we cannot say for sure what led to the deaths,” she added. The Minister said that all those who had interacted with the deceased were under observation. More ventilators Medical camps will be held in the village. An isolation ward will be set up at the Government Medical College Hospital, Kozhikode. More ventilators will be brought. The District Collector will hold a meeting with private hospital managements on Sunday to seek their help. Private and government hospital staff and doctors in the district will be trained. The suggestions of health personnel from other systems of medicine will be sought. Special face masks will be brought for health activists. On the reported eviction of people from Changaroth, Ms. Shylaja said the disease was confined to only one family right now. It was not an air-borne disease, though it might spread through body fluids. Care should be taken to avoid eating fruits half consumed by birds such as bats, she added. Earlier, the Health Minister attended a meeting with Health officials and experts in the city.

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