Nipah virus threat: AIIMS team camps in Kerala, Nadda urges everyone to stay alert

With 12 deaths reported from Kerala and two more being suspected as cases being related to Nipah virus, Union Health Minister JP Nadda on Wednesday said that all measures are being taken to contain the epidemic. The Union Health Ministry on Tuesday had also asked people not to "panic" and said the outbreak is "unlikely" to spread as early and efficient containment measures were being taken.

[6 deaths in Kozhikode: What is Nipah Virus? Know all about it]

Teams from AIIMS and National Centre for Disease Control have been camping in Kerala and Nadda said he is contantly in touch with them.

Hospitals across the state have been put on high alert and locals are being urged to report if any of the initial symptoms are experienced.

According to World Health Organisation, Nipah virus causes severe nerve damage in humans and animals and its symptoms include fever, headache, drowsiness, disorientation and mental confusion.

The outbreak can be seen at the places where particular species of bats, fruit bats are in higher number as well as the agriculture pattern. The virus is spread after the fruit bat throw consumed fruits which are later eaten by animals or human. The saliva of the fruit bat contains this virus.

It is transmitted if an animal or human being consumes fruits which were half-eaten by the fruit bat. The person with this virus needs to be kept in an isolated space because it can be transmitted through contact.

Pigs and fruit bats are the major carriers of the virus and people have been warned to avoid eating pork - especially in Kerala.

Earlier in the day, the Kerala cabinet offered Government job to Lini's (Nurse who died due to Nipah Virus) husband and Rs 10 lakh each to her two sons. The government will also provide Rs 5 lakhs as compensation to the kin of the other victims of Nipah Virus.