What to know about Nipah Virus

Total six cases of the Nipah virus have been detected so far in Kerala of which two persons died while four others are undergoing treatment

The Nipah virus is naturally harboured within fruit bats found in South and Southeast Asia

It spreads to human bodies primarily through direct contact with infected animals or consumption of food products exposed to saliva or urine from infected bats

With high fatality rates ranging from 40 to 75 percent, the outbreak is raising concerns among experts who view it as a potential epidemic risk

According to research conducted by the National Institute of Virology, the Nipah virus is spreading among bat populations in nine Indian states and one U.T.