The National Centre for Disease Control has issued high alert across India following the outbreak of the Nipah virus infection in the southern state of Kerala. The virus has so far claimed around 10 lives.
Nipah virus is also referred to as NiV and the infection spreads through fruit bats.
No new case has been reported from Kerala in the last 24 hours, Kerala's health minister K K Shylaja said, but stressed the need to be alert. "The entire expenditure of these patients would be borne by the state and there need not be any panic over bats. The government is awaiting the supply of ribavirin, a drug that's commonly used for treating similar cases," she said.
Travel advisory:
Kerala government has asked travellers from across the nation to avoid visiting Kerala's four northern districts of Kozhikode, Malappuram, Wayanad and Kannur.
"A few cases of infection by nipah virus have been reported from Kozhikode district in Kerala. The infection remains highly localised, all cases being linked to one family," the advisory issued by state health secretary Rajeev Sadanandan said, reported PTI. "The health department is taking effective steps for management of reported cases and surveillance through tracing of the contact of these persons. The situation remains under control."
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