New Delhi: The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and the National Institute of Virology (NIV) have confirmed the presence of the Nipah virus in bats in nine states, including Kerala and one Union Territory, Pondicherry, raising concerns among health authorities across the country.
In a comprehensive study conducted by the ICMR and NIV, samples from various states were examined to determine the presence of the deadly Nipah virus. The survey, encompassing 14 states and two Union Territories, aimed to shed light on the distribution of the virus among bat populations and potential risks to human health.
The results have revealed that Nipah virus has been identified in bats in the states of Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Goa, Maharashtra, Bihar, West Bengal, Assam, Meghalaya, and the Union Territory of Pondicherry. The presence of the virus in Assam’s Dhubri district, West Bengal’s Maynaguri, and Cooch Bihar has raised additional concerns, highlighting the need for vigilant monitoring in these regions.
Dr. Sheela V. Godbole, Director-in-Charge at ICMR-NIV, emphasised that previous studies in Kerala had confirmed the presence of Nipah virus in fruit bats in the Kozhikode region. However, this recent survey marks the first time studies have been conducted in other parts of the country, leading to the discovery of the virus in several new locations.
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