Telangana begins Nipah preventive measures

Awareness campaigns conducted, guidelines issued to keep track of the virus

Fruit bats resting in a tree at Chinthapalli village in Khammam district on Thursday. Nipah virus for which there is no vaccine, is commonly carried by fruit bats.

The outbreak of the Nipah virus infection in Kerala has brought into sharp focus preventive measures to guard against the outbreak of infectious diseases which can spread across the borders.

Although no cases of the dreaded virus infection have been reported anywhere in the State so far, the Medical and Health Department has focussed its attention on precautionary measures to prevent an outbreak of Nipah.

The highly contagious virus has reportedly claimed 12 lives, including a nurse, in Kerala so far.

As part of precautionary measures, State government agencies concerned have initiated an awareness campaign on social media about Nipah and modes through which it can be transmitted.

Some non-governmental organisations have embarked on social media campaigns, urging people not to consume fruits that have bite marks or have been found dropped under trees. People are also being urged to refrain from disturbing the natural habitats of fruit bats, which are believed to be the natural reservoir hosts of the virus.

When contacted, Superintendent of the District Headquarters Hospital, Khammam, Madan Singh, told

The Hindu that precautionary measures were being taken to prevent the outbreak of Nipah virus infection.

Though there is no trace of the virus in the State till date, a set of guidelines had been issued by the agencies concerned to keep track of the viral infections as a precautionary measure.