Nipah Virus Kills At Least Three In India, Sparks Alert

New Delhi, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 21st May, 2018 ) :A deadly virus carried mainly by fruit bats has killed at least three people in southern India, sparking a statewide health alert Monday.

Eight other deaths in the state of Kerala are being investigated for possible links to the Nipah virus, which has a 70 percent mortality rate. Kerala's Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has urged citizens to stay vigilant and follow instructions from the health department.

"Health department is doing everything possible to save the lives of the infected & prevent the advance of virus," his office posted on Twitter.

The victims all died in Calicut district, said Kerala health secretary Rajeev Sadanandan.

Samples tested in government labs confirmed the presence of the Nipah virus in three deaths, while Sadanandan said the cause of other suspicious deaths could only be confirmed through tests. "We have sent blood and body fluid samples of all suspected cases for confirmation. It will take 24-48 hours for the results to come."