The teenager who died in the southern Indian state of Kerala due to the Nipah virus had eaten a contaminated hog plum fruit from his neighbourhood where the presence of fruit bats has been confirmed, said Health Minister Veena George on Monday (Jul 22).&nbsp;

Fruit bats are known for being the reservoir of the zoonotic virus and the 14-year-old boy from&nbsp;Malappuram developed fever after he consumed the hog plum fruit, locally known as&nbsp;ambazhanga.&nbsp;

“We have confirmed the presence of fruit bats in that region. Prima facie analysis indicates that this could be the source of infection,"&nbsp;said George.

"Further examination is required to confirm this. A team of experts from National Virology Institute-Pune will reach Malappuram on Monday to study the fruit bats in the region,” she added.&nbsp;

A previous analysis had found that the strain of the virus found in the teen was similar to the strain found in the body of fruit bats. Notably, this is not the first time that Kerala has reported Nipah virus cases. In 2018 and 2023, cases were&nbsp;reported in the eastern hilly region of Kozhikode.

The Kerala Health Department has opened a control room in Malappuram, and the district has been put on high alert. A lockdown has been imposed in the village&nbsp;of the infected boy, and people in the area have been told to wear masks.

Also read:&nbsp;<a data-ved="2ahUKEwjwv5yt6beHAxWa7DQHHf-iEy8QxfQBKAB6BAgQEAE" href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/kerala-man-went-for-check-up-got-stuck-in-hospital-elevator-for-two-days-741087" jsname="YKoRaf" ping="/url?sa=t&amp;source=web&amp;rct=j&amp;opi=89978449&amp;url=https://www.wionews.com/india-news/kerala-man-went-for-check-up-got-stuck-in-hospital-elevator-for-two-days-741087&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjwv5yt6beHAxWa7DQHHf-iEy8QxfQBKAB6BAgQEAE">Kerala man goes to govt hospital for check-up, remains stuck in elevator for two days</a>

<h2>Central govt issues advisory</h2>

Meanwhile, the central government on Sunday asked the Kerala government to implement four immediate public health measures to control the spread of the Nipah virus.&nbsp; 
 
The union government has advised the state to implement public health measures, such as active contact tracing over the past 12 days, strict quarantine of contacts associated with the case, and isolation of any suspected cases.

Watch:&nbsp;India: Brain-eating amoeba kills 3 in Kerala

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<h2>What is Nipah virus?</h2>

Nipah is a zoonotic virus that can spread from animals to humans. Discovered in 1998-99 in Malaysia's Nipah village, the initial outbreaks were reported among pig farmers and those who came in close contact with pigs.&nbsp;

The initial symptoms include or resemble those of influenza, fever, muscle pain and sore throat. However, in severe cases, inflammation of the brain may develop, along with respiratory issues.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

The teenager who died in the southern Indian state of Kerala due to the Nipah virus had eaten a contaminated hog plum fruit from his neighbourhood where the presence of fruit bats has been confirmed, said Health Minister Veena George on Monday (Jul 22).

The teenager who died in the southern Indian state of Kerala due to the Nipah virus had eaten a contaminated hog plum fruit from his neighbourhood where the presence of fruit bats has been confirmed, said Health Minister Veena George on Monday (Jul 22). Fruit bats are known for being the reservoir of the zoonotic virus and the 14-year-old boy from Malappuram developed fever after he consumed the hog plum fruit, locally known as ambazhanga. “We have confirmed the presence of fruit bats in that region. Prima facie analysis indicates that this could be the source of infection," said George. "Further examination is required to confirm this. A team of experts from National Virology Institute-Pune will reach Malappuram on Monday to study the fruit bats in the region,” she added. A previous analysis had found that the strain of the virus found in the teen was similar to the strain found in the body of fruit bats. Notably, this is not the first time that Kerala has reported Nipah virus cases. In 2018 and 2023, cases were reported in the eastern hilly region of Kozhikode. The Kerala Health Department has opened a control room in Malappuram, and the district has been put on high alert. A lockdown has been imposed in the village of the infected boy, and people in the area have been told to wear masks. Also read: Kerala man goes to govt hospital for check-up, remains stuck in elevator for two days Central govt issues advisory Meanwhile, the central government on Sunday asked the Kerala government to implement four immediate public health measures to control the spread of the Nipah virus. The union government has advised the state to implement public health measures, such as active contact tracing over the past 12 days, strict quarantine of contacts associated with the case, and isolation of any suspected cases. Watch: India: Brain-eating amoeba kills 3 in Kerala What is Nipah virus? Nipah is a zoonotic virus that can spread from animals to humans. Discovered in 1998-99 in Malaysia's Nipah village, the initial outbreaks were reported among pig farmers and those who came in close contact with pigs. The initial symptoms include or resemble those of influenza, fever, muscle pain and sore throat. However, in severe cases, inflammation of the brain may develop, along with respiratory issues. (With inputs from agencies)

Revealed: What did the Kerala teen eat before contracting deadly Nipah virus?

The deadly Nipah virus has claimed one more life in Kerala taking the death toll to 15 today. Meanwhile, on Wednesday, a soldier in Kolkata died due to suspected Nipah virus infection, reports said.&nbsp;

As per reports, the soldier was from Kerala and was posted at Fort William. He was admitted to the hospital on April 20.&nbsp;

The brain-damaging infection first broke out in Kerala. The state government has also issued an advisory, asking travellers to avoid visiting the four districts of Kozhikode, Malappuram, Wayanad, and Kannur.

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No confirmed cases of the virus have been found outside the state. However, Goa, Maharashtra, Himachal, Chhatisgarh and many other states have issued a health advisory.&nbsp;

The virus scare has wreaked havoc for fruit sellers in the state. Fruit sellers in Kerala have faced the brunt of the deadly Nipah virus. They say their incomes have been reduced as customers fear that fruits might be infected with the virus.

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has banned imports of fresh vegetables and fruits from Kerala where the Gulf state said on Tuesday.

The UAE's Ministry of Climate Change and Environment also notified other local authorities, including the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority and the municipalities of its emirates, to prevent the entry of any fresh produce from Kerala, it said in a statement.

No confirmed cases of the virus have been found outside the state

The deadly Nipah virus has claimed one more life in Kerala taking the death toll to 15 today. Meanwhile, on Wednesday, a soldier in Kolkata died due to suspected Nipah virus infection, reports said. As per reports, the soldier was from Kerala and was posted at Fort William. He was admitted to the hospital on April 20. The brain-damaging infection first broke out in Kerala. The state government has also issued an advisory, asking travellers to avoid visiting the four districts of Kozhikode, Malappuram, Wayanad, and Kannur. #Kerala: Death toll due to #NipahVirus rises to 15. — ANI (@ANI) May 31, 2018 × No confirmed cases of the virus have been found outside the state. However, Goa, Maharashtra, Himachal, Chhatisgarh and many other states have issued a health advisory. The virus scare has wreaked havoc for fruit sellers in the state. Fruit sellers in Kerala have faced the brunt of the deadly Nipah virus. They say their incomes have been reduced as customers fear that fruits might be infected with the virus. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has banned imports of fresh vegetables and fruits from Kerala where the Gulf state said on Tuesday. The UAE's Ministry of Climate Change and Environment also notified other local authorities, including the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority and the municipalities of its emirates, to prevent the entry of any fresh produce from Kerala, it said in a statement.

Nipah virus scare: One more dead, death toll mounts to 15 in Kerala

In the wake of the Nipah virus outbreak in Kerala, which has claimed 13 lives until now, the Bihar government, Sikkim health department, Madhya Pradesh Health Ministry, and Pudducherry collector office have issued advisories urging the people of their respective states to take precaution against the disease.

The Nipah virus, which is spread by fruit bats, can cause a communicable disease that can be fatal for both animals and humans.

The symptoms of the disease include fever, headache, drowsiness, respiratory illness, disorientation, and mental confusion.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), these signs and symptoms can progress to coma within 24-48 hours.

The Sikkim health department has issued an advisory urging the people to take precaution. "Though there is minimal possibility of Nipah virus in Sikkim, but the people need to take precaution," it said in an advisory yesterday in the wake of Nipah outbreak in Kerala.

The Bihar, Puducherry and Madhya Pradesh governments also issued advisories against Nipah virus and have urged people to take precautions.

Nipah virus, spread by fruit bats, causes communicable disease and can be fatal for both animals and humans

In the wake of the Nipah virus outbreak in Kerala, which has claimed 13 lives until now, the Bihar government, Sikkim health department, Madhya Pradesh Health Ministry, and Pudducherry collector office have issued advisories urging the people of their respective states to take precaution against the disease. The Nipah virus, which is spread by fruit bats, can cause a communicable disease that can be fatal for both animals and humans. The symptoms of the disease include fever, headache, drowsiness, respiratory illness, disorientation, and mental confusion. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), these signs and symptoms can progress to coma within 24-48 hours. The Sikkim health department has issued an advisory urging the people to take precaution. "Though there is minimal possibility of Nipah virus in Sikkim, but the people need to take precaution," it said in an advisory yesterday in the wake of Nipah outbreak in Kerala. The Bihar, Puducherry and Madhya Pradesh governments also issued advisories against Nipah virus and have urged people to take precautions.

Nipah virus: Bihar, Sikkim, MP, Puducherry issue advisories for people

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