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The connection between bats and evil spirits is, unfortunately, a deep, cross-cultural myth that refuses to die, but did you know there is another, more fun spirit they are intricately associated with? Agave plants, the source of tequila and mezcal, depend on bats, especially the Mexican long-nosed bat, for pollination and seed dispersal, says bat…
Read More “‘The more we learn about bats, the less we fear them’” »
A recent case of Zika virus infection in Pune has renewed concerns about India’s preparedness for diagnosing emerging infectious diseases. After experiencing symptoms like fever and rashes, the 46-year-old doctor was hospitalised and diagnosed with Zika virus infection after his samples were sent for testing to the apex virology institute. Subsequent testing of his family…
Read More “India lacks diagnostic tests for emerging infectious diseases” »
Bat populations in many Indian States harbour serological evidence of exposure to Nipah virus,” the Nature article points out. | Photo Credit: CraigRJD Many places in Southeast Asia, such as Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, southern China, Bhutan, Nepal, Sri Lanka and some Indian States, have Nipah virus reservoirs and could experience cross-species transmission to humans, says…
Read More “Nipah infection possible in more places in Southeast Asia, says Nature article” »
On September 11, samples sent to Calicut Medical College for testing were confirmed as Nipah virus. But only on September 20, after 323 samples were tested for the virus, did ICMR permit Kerala to use Truenat for Nipah testing. Even the belated permission came only after Kerala “strongly demanded” for Truenat during discussions with ICMR,…
Read More “Why BSL-3 lab for Nipah confirmation is unnecessary” »
According to the WHO, no drugs or vaccines specific for Nipah are currently available. New Delhi: The Nipah alert in Kerala’s Kozhikode after two ‘unnatural’ deaths were reported due to fever has brought back panic and grim memories of the earlier outbreaks that claimed several lives. Here is a 5-point explainer on Nipah virus Nipah…
Deaths due to Nipah virus infection were reported in Kozhikode district in 2018 and 2021. Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala Health Department sounded a health alert in Kozhikode district on Monday following two “unnatural” deaths suspected to be due to the Nipah virus infection. State Health Minister Veena George held a high-level meeting and reviewed the situation,…
Read More “Nipah Alert Sounded In Kerala’s Kozhikode After Two ‘Unnatural’ Deaths” »