more-in In a bid to strengthen the surveillance mechanism, the State Nipah cell on Friday recorded the details of 230 people who visited the Kozhikode Medical College Hospital casualty and the Balussery government hospital after the virus outbreak was confirmed. The cell operated by the Health Department received the details through a helpline, which was circulated widely through the media. Based on the positive response, two more extension numbers will be added to the helpline (04952-381000) for facilitating flawless communication. Health officials said the details of those who contacted the helpline would be kept confidential. The department sought voluntary exchange of the details as part of its efforts to launch focussed field-level awareness campaigns and adopt better preventive measures. The details of those who visited the casualty, CT scan room, and the visitors lounge of the medical college had been sought to keep track of their health and watch over the suspected symptoms. District Medical Officer V. Jayashree said a good number of calls were received on Friday, the first day of the opening of the helpline . “Six department personnel are now at work to manage the communications through the State Nipah cell and we have requested the BSNL to provide two more extension numbers,” she added. Dr. Jayashree said the department advisory for collecting details of those who visited the two hospitals was issued keeping in view the safety of the people. “Though it was a shocker for many, it was unavoidable to gather the details and accordingly ensure the preventive measures,” she told The Hindu. Health officials said there was nothing to be scared about collecting the details of persons who made the hospital visits as it was part of an action plan to ensure their own safety. The department had already gathered the details of over 1,000 people in the district who had interacted with the Nipah infected, they said.

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