Nipah scare in Hyderabad with 2 suspected cases

​Hyderabad: Even as Kerala is trying to come to grips with Nipah virus that already claimed more than a dozen lives so far, rumours of the deadly disease surfacing in Hyderabad spread like wild fire on Friday prompting government officials to issue a clarification. Samples of blood from suspected victims undergoing treatment in public hospitals have been sent to Pune for confirmation on Friday. 

Speaking to reporters, Director of Medical Education (DME) K Ramesh Reddy said the samples of two patients, one admitted to NIMS and another in Fever Hospital, were sent to the Institute of Virology, Pune and they are waiting for results. Until reports are out and positive, it was not proper to jump to conclusions about the spread of the disease to Hyderabad, he stressed.

“We do not want to take any chances. Blood samples and throat swabs of both the patients have been sent to NIV-Pune for Nipah virus infection test. We also asked them to test for swine flu,” said the DME.

Ramesh Reddy took objection to WhatsApp messages that went viral in various groups quoting him confirming Nipah virus cases in Hyderabad. He called upon the public not to believe such fake messages and there was no panic situation as being created. He said that he would report to police about false rumors to create panic in public.

Meanwhile, of the two suspected cases, a 25-year old IT professional undergoing treatment in Fever Hospital visited Mannar in Kerala along with his friends. He developed high fever and was admitted to a private hospital. With cold and respiratory problems along with and fever symptoms, doctors at the private hospital rang Fever hospital doctors and urged them to admit the patient for further treatment as they suspected Nipah virus symptoms.

According to Fever hospital Superintendent Dr Shankar, the patient is active and stable as on Friday evening. But to rule out any chances for Nipah infection, samples have been sent to Pune lab, he added.

Meanwhile, another person undergoing treatment for the last few days at NIMS, Panjagutta, showed symptoms of Encephalitis (acute inflammation of the brain), but had not history of travel to Kerala. 

However, NIMS doctors were worried as his health deteriorated and hence his samples were also collected and sent to Pune. He was to be shifted to Fever hospital, but due to deterioration of his health, the plans were dropped. The patient is put on ventilator on Friday.

The two patients are being treated in isolated wards taking all precautions with nurses and doctors attending them were provided safety masks and other needed equipment.

While the Health department has been ordered to create isolated wards in public hospitals like Osmania, Gandhi, NIMS even the several corporate hospitals are gearing up to tackle the deadly disease.

Bhaskar Rao, president of Telangana Super-specialty Hospitals Association, said each hospital has isolated wards with two to three beds to shift them in case of symptoms related to Nipah. He said they are in touch with government officials on this issue.