Nipah Virus Alert Issued To MP Animal Husbandry Staff

Bhopal: Madhya Pradesh's Department of Animal Husbandry has issued advisory against Nipah virus, asking its field officials to be on alert. Animal Husbandry Department's director Dr R K Rokde said, "Nipah virus is a zoonotic virus and it can equally cause diseases in both - human and animal. In view of the Nipah virus spread and deaths in Kerala, we have alerted our field officials."

Rokde said the field staff was told to notice the symptom of this virus and take the preventive measures to stop its spread. The field staff has been told that if the symptoms of Nipah virus are visible in animals, then implement all biological measures to stop its spread, Dr Rokde said.

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As may as 15 deaths were recorded due to Nipah virus in Kerala till May 31. The outbreak of the Nipah virus infection, a newly emerging zoonosis that causes severe disease in both animals and humans, is suspected to be from an unused well in Perambra (Kerala) which was infested with bats. The natural host of the virus is believed to be fruit bats of the Pteropodidae family, Pteropus genus. (PTI)