A familiar fear in Kozhikode as Nipah resurfaces

Kochi: In May 2018, Changaroth, a sleepy village on the eastern border of Kerala’s Kozhikode district, first hit national headlines when it reported the first case of the deadly Nipah virus in the state. Abhijith KM, a panchayat ward member, said restrictions to curb the spread of the virus were re-imposed in tune with the health department’s guidelines. Though normal life has come to a halt within the containment zones, ward-level rapid response teams are actively ensuring distribution of essential food and medicines to the residents, Abhijith said. Today, I would say people are less fearful but they are alert.” Sareesh ET, another ward member in Changaroth, said a majority of people are cooperating with the restrictions.