<span style="color: #222222;">The Centre has suggested Kerala Government that both the hospital-based and community-based surveillance needs to be strengthened in view of Nipah virus.</span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;"> </span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan has written to Kerala Chief Secretary recommending measures to be taken in wake of the outbreak in Kozhikode, based on a report submitted by a Central team that visited the district.</span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;"> </span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">He said, awareness needs to be created among the field formations for early detection of cases of Acute Encephalitis Syndrome or Respiratory Distress and risk communicated to the public.</span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;"> </span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">In the letter, Mr Bhushan suggested that active search for cases need to be undertaken in the containment area, as per the micro-plan provided by the Central team.</span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;"> </span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">The Health Secretary said, the nearby districts of Kannur, Malappuram and Wayanad needs to be alerted.</span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;"> </span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">He said, the District Authorities must identify primary and secondary contacts and prepare line listing of high risk and low risk contacts.</span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;"> </span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">All high risk contacts may be moved to identified facility quarantine and observed for symptoms.</span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;"> </span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">In accordance with the request of the State Government, Director General, Indian Council of Medical Research has initiated</span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">action to establish point of care testing at Virus Research and Diagnostic Lab in Kozhikode.</span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;"> </span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">Government Medical College, Kozhikode has been identified as the Treatment Centre.</span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;"> </span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">The Centre has asked to earmark adequate number of single room isolation facility and negative pressure ICU. A referral system to be established along with earmarked ambulances and trained staff.</span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;"> </span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">The Health Secretary said, adequate stock of anti-viral drug Ribaverin and Personal Protective Equipments need to be maintained at the district level.</span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;"> </span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">He said, ICMR is exploring the feasibility of getting appropriate monoclonal antibodies for treatment purpose.</span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;"> </span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">The Centre said, a 24 x 7 Control Room need to be set up for daily reporting and sharing information with the media.</span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;"> </span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">Coordination with Animal Health and Wild Life Department and other field officers may be initiated to trap and collect samples from fruit bats for virological studies and other associated measures.</span><br />