Nipah virus: Kerala govt warns against culling of fruit bats as fear grips state

Kerala is home to be around 29 species of bats. (Photo: Reuters)

Chiropterophobia will soon be tripping off from every tongue in Kerala as fear of bats grips the state.

Two more deaths with reported Nipah virus symptoms were reported from Kozhikode. On Tuesday, May 22 Rajan of Kuruachundu village and Ashokan from Nadapuram, who were under treatment in the isolation ward of the Government Medical College Hospital, Kozhikode died.

With these deaths, Nipah-related deaths in Kerala rose to eight. Around 20 persons are admitted in various hospitals in Kozhikode and Malappuram districts with Nipah symptoms.

Fruit bats are the carriers of Nipah virus and till date there are no cures for those infected.

A medical team has collected blood samples of 60 people who were in close proximity to people infected with Nipah virus.

Meanwhile bats were the immediate casualty of Nipah deaths in Kerala after medical team identified fruit bats as virus carriers. Indian flying fox or the great Indian fruit bat have a large habitat in many parts of Kerala. Many bats have been killed after the Nipah outbreak.

According to Dr Arrackal Madhavan who is also known as the Batman of Kerala warns that such negative responses to a health problem will lead to the extinction of bats.

Madhavan, 88, has been researching on mating habits of bats and has also identified several species.

"Bats are human friendly and useful to balance our eco-system. Fruit bats are common in our villages and farms. Like pigs, dogs or other animals, fruit bats are carriers of virus. People should protect themselves through preventive measures. Culling bats is not the remedy for Nipah virus infection, Madhavan said.

Panic gripped many parts of the state after a misinformation campaign spread over social media.

There is no need for panic. The government has taken all possible steps to contain the spread of disease and sought the help of experts. I appeal to all to maintain your surroundings clean and dry, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan appealed over Facebook.

Kerala health minister KK Shailaja Teacher also appealed to the public not to spread false information regarding virus infection.

The situation is under control and we are extending all possible medical help to the infected people, she told India Today.

In the meantime the animal husbandry welfare department has issued warnings against fruit bat culling in Kerala after social media reports of massive culling of bats in many parts of the state.

"It's not confirmed that fruit bats are behind the spread of Nipah virus in Kerala. Only preliminary investigation by the health department identified bats a possible carriers of virus. We request all to avoid speculation based on misinformation campaign," the circular reads.

Meanwhile dengue fever is also gripping the state after a bout of pre-monsoon showers.