Despite repeated Nipah outbreaks, Kerala yet to look into bat biology

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Even after the first outbreak of Nipah virus six years ago, and back-to-back virus outbreaks since 2018, Kerala has yet to set up a scientific study of the biology of fruit-eating bats suspected to be the source of the zoonotic (NiV) virus. Till now, even after 26 cases have been reported in the state, the source of the transmission of the virus to humans has not been established scientifically. Only Nipah virus antibodies are detected in bats’ bodies.

Though the state health department succeeded in preventing the deaths considerably due to Nipah virus after 17 fatalities in 2018, the government has not entrusted any scientific body, which deals with zoonotic diseases and animal behaviour, to study and find the source of transmission.