Nipah virus: Odisha govt issues alert to hospitals

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has issued an alert to five medical colleges and 30 district headquarters hospitals in the wake of Nipah virus outbreak in Kerala.

Health Services director Braja Kishore Brahma asked to take preventive measures against the deadly virus as treatment options were limited.

Although no such case has been reported from any part of the state so far, the health department has asked hospitals to prepare themselves for contingencies.

All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Bhubaneswar, has already set up an isolated ward to admit patients afflicted with the virus, its dean, Bikas Bhatia, said.

The health department advised people to avoid consuming fruits that are half-eaten by bats or birds.

The government has decided to issue a detailed advisory, with preventive measures and common signs, to make the people aware of the Nipah virus.