Mail News Service
Jamshedpur, June 8 : The district health department has issued an alert on fears over the Nipah virus following spread of the virus at Kerala. The department has asked officials to take necessary steps to spread awareness about the disease and its possible manifestations. The bat sanctuary of Jayanti Sarovar at Tata Steel Zoological Park is also under scanner.
East Singhbhum civil surgeon Dr Maheshwar Prasad said that the health department has issues an alert and authorities have been asked to keep a vigil on people coming from Kerala.� Though no cases have been reported in the city or district so far but we have released do�s and don�ts for common people so that the people remain alert,� said Prasad.
Sources informed that Tata Zoological Park is also under scanner. Situated at Jayanti Sarovar in Jubilee Park the Bat Sanctuary is also Jharkhand�s lone urban reserve of flying foxes or giant fruit bats. Spread across 7 hectares island habitat located in the middle of the Jayanti Sarovar is a bustling habitat for migratory bird and bat.
The island boasts of several fruit-bearing trees of the ficus familylike figs – a staple diet of the giant fruit bats. The dense greeneryof the park, home to fruit-bearing trees like papayas and mangoes,also ensure ample food for the bats. Even during the day, colonies ofbats are found hanging from the branches of the trees.
Civil surgeon also said Tatanagar station authorities would also be asked to put up hoardings informing people about symptoms and advising them on the dos and don’ts.
� We are spreading awareness among people. We have not found a single case of Nipah in the state, so there is no need to panic. But we need to be alert just the same. We have conducted a review meeting and have asked the health officials concerned to keep an eye,� said another official.
According to information, the virus spreads from bats that eat fruit. If a person comes in contact with the fruit that infected bats have eaten, the virus can spread. So if someone is infected it is necessary to isolate that person and the relatives are also advised to stay away. Citizens are advised not to eat any fruits found lying near trees.
