BS RAWAT
NEW DELHI : A multi-disciplinary Central team has been sent to Kerala, where a seven-year-old boy from Malappuram district has reportedly tested positive for the vector-borne West Nile virus. The team will review the situation and also assist the district administration in its prevention and management.

The West Nile virus is transmitted to humans through a mosquito bite and is mostly reported in the continental United States.

Union Health Minister Mr J P Nadda is closely monitoring the situation with the Health Minister of Kerala, Ms K. K. Shailaja. Mr Nadda has directed for all support to be extended to Kerala for prevention and management of the disease, a statement from the Union Health Ministry has said.

Union Health Secretary Ms Preeti Sudan held a meeting with Additional Chief Secretary Rajeev Sadanandan in Kerala and took stock of public health measures for controlling the spread of the virus.

The Health Ministry has dispatched a four-member multi-disciplinary central team which includes Dr. Ruchi Jain, (RHO Trivandrum), Dr Suneet Kaur (Assistant Director, NCDC), Dr E Rajendran (Entomologist, NCDC, Calicut) and Dr Binoy Basu (EIS Officer, NCDC). The team will help the state health authorities in managing the disease.

The Indian Council of Medical Research has also been alerted and a close watch is being maintained at the central and state levels, the statement said.

The statement informed that the government has no reports of the West Nile Virus having been found in any other part of the country.