Bhubaneswar, Jan 16: Odisha's Health Minister, Mukesh Mahaling, held a high-level meeting at Lok Seva Bhavan today to assess the evolving situation regarding the Nipah virus threat.

Addressing the media after the meeting, the Minister reassured the public, stating that the government is fully on alert and prepared to handle the situation. He emphasized that there was no need for panic.

In light of recent reports of Nipah virus cases in neighboring West Bengal, the Odisha government has heightened vigilance. A significant number of people from Odisha travel to West Bengal daily, which has raised concerns about the potential risk of cross-border transmission.

As part of the precautionary measures, the Health Department has ramped up surveillance and is taking proactive steps to prevent any outbreak in the state. The meeting primarily focused on reinforcing monitoring systems, ensuring the readiness of healthcare facilities, and formulating strategies for swift detection and response to any potential cases.