ICMR confirms Nipah virus in bat samples collected from Wayanad: Health Minister

Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala Health Minister Veena George on Wednesday said the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has detected the presence of Nipah virus in bats in the Wayanad district.

"Bats carrying the virus are present in the Sulthan Bathery and Mananthavady areas. The ICMR report confirming the same has been shared with the state," said the minister.

She also said there was no need to panic and that the warning was to create awareness among the people. The Kerala One Health Centre for Nipah Research will begin functioning at the Kozhikode Medical College from Thursday.

The minister further advised that people avoid eating fruits bitten by animals, birds etc. "Observations and studies are being made about the presence of Nipah in other districts as well," added the minister.

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