Thiruvananthapuram: Health minister K Muraleedharan has said that so far there is no evidence of Nipah virus spreading beyond the reported case, adding that all test results received to date have been negative.The minister stated that the condition of the patient currently on ventilator support remains the same and health authorities are closely monitoring the situation. Responding to criticism from the opposition, he said the remarks should be viewed as political rather than an assessment of govt’s response.While reacting to allegations that he had not visited the affected area, Muraleedharan said he was present at the location when Nipah case was first reported and had issued all necessary instructions before returning to Thiruvananthapuram.“I was there when the case was reported. After giving all necessary directions, I returned to Thiruvananthapuram. As a health minister, I have to oversee issues affecting the entire state. Since this disease has the potential to spread anywhere in Kerala, I convened a meeting of senior officials in the state capital,” he said.He also noted that the revenue minister is currently in Kozhikode and has convened a meeting of elected representatives to coordinate response measures.Describing the opposition’s approach as unfortunate, Muraleedharan said it was inappropriate to treat the situation as a political opportunity. “The opposition should not behave as though it has found a weapon to attack the govt,” he said.The remarks came in response to criticism from former chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan, who accused govt of failing to treat Nipah situation with the seriousness it deserves.Vijayan said govt was not demonstrating the level of initiative normally expected during a public health crisis. While acknowledging the efforts of doctors and healthcare workers, he argued that the broader health administration and govt machinery had not been adequately mobilized.“The issue is not the commitment of doctors. What is lacking is the leadership and initiative that the health department and govt are expected to provide in coordinating the entire health system,” Vijayan said.He also pointed out that previous health ministers, despite not being medical graduates, had taken an active role during major health emergencies. “The public has seen how govts and health ministers responded during earlier Nipah crises. The present health minister has not visited the affected area or intervened directly so far. That is not the right approach,” he added.
