The Mangalavanam Bird Sanctuary that hosts a large population of bats is not in the risk category, as per available information, for the Nipah virus.
The presence of a large number of bats in the sanctuary calls for precautionary steps against the possible spread of the virus though there is no room for panic, say public health experts.
Large numbers of Indian flying fox can be seen roosting in trees located inside the sanctuary, and the nearby railway yard and adjoining areas. Large colonies of bats can also be seen on the trees on the campus of the Government Guest House at Aluva.
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Chances of infection
Public health experts have ruled out the possibility of large groups getting widely infected as the outbreak of the disease was found mostly confined to some geographical areas and limited populations of bats.
Since no preventive medicines or vaccines are available for the Nipah virus, behavioural modifications have been recommended for the public as well as for those who come into close contact with bats, including Forest Department staff.
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R. Aravind, Head of the Department of Infectious Diseases, Government Medical College, Thiruvananthapruam, says people should avoid consuming fruits bitten by bats.
Fruits should be washed well and peeled before consumption.
Toddy consumption
Dr. Aravind has also suggested that people should avoiding consuming toddy collected in open pots placed on coconut trees as bat droppings could have fallen into such pots.
T.S. Anish, Assistant Professor, Department of Community Medicine, Government Medical College, Thiruvananthapuram, says the possibility of bat populations widely being infected is less than 0.5%.
Bats act as reservoirs of the Nipah virus and the pathogen does not cause death in reservoirs. At the same time, infection in animals such as pigs and rabbits could prove to be fatal. So, those handling such animals also need to exercise caution, he says.