The state health department on Friday announced a number of steps, including the temporary closure of a district court, to arrest the advance of the Nipah outbreak that has already claimed 17 lives in north Kerala. It has asked the high court registrar to shut the Kozhikode district court and directed the staffers of a government hospital to proceed on leave with immediate effect. As many as 17 of the 20 people infected by the Nipah virus are dead while the remaining are undergoing treatment, said a senior health officer. State health minister KK Shailaja has even warned of a second outbreak unless preventive measures are taken. Among the institutions likely to be closed is the Kozhikode district court, which witnessed its senior superintendent – Madhusoodan – succumbing to the Nipah infection.

Source: Hindustan Times June 01, 2018 12:31 UTC