Nipah virus claims 3 lives in Naogaon

Nipah virus has claimed the lives of three people, including two children, in Manda upazila of the district in nine days till Friday.
The victims are Apple Mahmud, 11, son of Moklesur Rahman, and Kawser Ali, 13, son of Abdul Kasem of Bhalain village, and Hafizul Islam, 25, son of Alimuddin of Balubazar village in the upazila.
Apple’s mother Julekah Bibi said the boy was admitted to the upazila health complex on January 22 after he caught fever taking date on January 20. Later, he was shifted to Rajshahi Medical College Hospital (RMCH) where he died on January 23.Kawser was taken to the RMCH on January 24. However, his family took him back home on January 29. He died the following day.
On the other hand, Hafizul who was admitted to the RMCH with fever on January 17 died on January 22 while undergoing treatment.
Civil surgeon of Naogaon Dr Mozaharul Islam said nipah virus was detected in the samples of saliva and blood of the victims.
Meanwhile, show-cause notices have been served on health inspector (in-charge) Fayezuddin Tarafder and assistant health inspector Taijul Islam of Manda Upazila Health Complex for their negligence in reporting the cases in right time. A three-member probe panel has also been formed to look into the matter.
Besides, a high-level six-member team of the Directorate General of Health Services will visit the affected area on Tuesday, said the civil surgeon. – UNB