NIPAH won’t hurt your monsoon trip to Kerala; State marked safe to travel
NIPAH virus attack continues to trouble even though there aren’t much casualties or new infections reported. The tourism industry is one which is suffering on the onset of this virus attack. Though the incidents induced an uncertainty in the minds of travellers, the tourists haven’t cancelled or postponed their trips to Kerala. However, still there is some news circulating which is discouraging the travellers.
“Initially the tourists had concerns about the virus attack. It feels like a negative propaganda to weaken the tourism industry. The tourism industry is doing fine and some media are making the news in a way that project the virus attack as something fatal and affecting the whole of Kerala. As said by the government and health department, the virus attack is under control. The government has acted properly in controlling the attack. Some tourists who had concern called us over directly and they were convinced about the situation now. The tourists are not cancelling or postponing their travel to Kerala. The virus attack has been confined to an area and the authorities are doing their best to curb it. The tourists are safe and we will be doing everything to keep them safe. The government need to act more on the false news being spread about virus attack and tourism,” said Rajagopal Iyer, CEO, Uday Samudra Leisure Beach Hotel & Spa, Trivandrum.
The health department had already assured that travelling to Kerala is safe. Few cases of infections have been reported in Kozhikode district and the virus attack and is now under control. The government is conducting surveillance at Kozhikode, Malappuram, Wayanad and Kannur. The situation is under control and they are taking effective steps for the management of reported cases. However, they added that if travellers wish to be extra conscious, they can avoid the districts under surveillance. “All efforts are being made to ensure that more lives are not lost. The government is handling the issue with utmost seriousness,” said Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. Health Minister KK Shaylaja said that the World Health Organisation has been informed about the outbreak. She also confirmed that Union Health Minister JP Nadda, who is at present in Geneva, contacted her and enquired about the situation in the state and promised all help from central government. The Centre has even sent a rapid response team to control the epidemic.
Also, it is to be noted that the virus attack has been reported only towards the northern part of Kerala. Popular destinations such as Alleppey, Kovalam, Varkala and Munnar are all safe to travel. So far, no attacks or deaths are reported in other parts of Kerala.
