Kozhikode: Kerala has strengthened measures to prevent the spread of Nipah infection after the brain-damaging virus killed two people in Kozhikode. 

Health Minister Veena George announced crowd control measures in Kozhikode district after a review meeting on Wednesday in the presence of the Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan and cabinet ministers. 

The minister has requested the public not to host large-scale events in Kozhikode until September 24. Kozhikode Collector is directed to necessary decisions over the matter. 

789 individuals are on the contact list of the infected, which includes 157 health workers. 13 people were admitted to the isolation ward, and four others in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). 78 people in Kozhikode are in the high-risk category. ICMR airlifted the antibody which will soon be available, said Health Minister Veena George.

Meanwhile, three patients at Kozhikode Medical College isolation ward show fever symptoms. 

Due to the looming threat of the Nipah virus in Kozhikode, the district collector has announced the list of more than 50 containment zones.

The containment zones are as follows ( *issued at 8 p.m.)

  • Ayancheri panchayat- Wards 1,2,3,4,5,12,13,14,15
  • Maruthonkara panchayat- Wards 1,2,3,4,5,12,13,14
  • Thiruvallur panchayat- Wards 1, 2, 7, 8,9, 20
  • Kuttiady panchayat- Wards 3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10
  • Kayakkody panchayat- Wards 5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13
  • Kavilumpara panchayat- Wards 2,10,11,12,13,14,15,16
  • Changaroth Panchayat- Wards 1,2,19
  • Villiappally panchayat- Wards 3,4,5,6,7
  • Purameri panchayat- Ward 13, 4 (including Thanneerpanthal town)

In a Facebook post shared on Wednesday night, District Collector A. Geetha announced that 'strict perimeter control' will be implemented in localities identified as containment zones. As a result, travel to and from these zones will not be permitted. The police and Local Self Government Secretaries should barricade containment zones.

"Only the outlets selling essential items including food items and medicines are allowed. Working hours are from 7 A.M. to 5 P.M. only. There is no time limit for medical shops and other health centres."
"Local Self-Government/Village Offices should be run with minimum staff but no other institution including Government-Semi-Government-Public Sector Banks, Schools and Anganwadis should remain open until further notifications."

Meanwhile, traffic on public access roads in the wards falling under the containment zones shall be prohibited. The Deputy Director of Education has been instructed to prepare online classes for the schools included in the containment zone.