The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has forbidden imports of unsullied vegetables plus fruits from the Southern Indian state of Kerala where 13 people have died due to an epidemic of uncommon brain-damaging Nipah virus infection.
The UAE’s Ministry of Climate Change and Environment as well informed other local authorities, including Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority and municipalities of its emirates, to avert the access of any fresh produce from Kerala, said in a statement.
The ministry suspecting the fruit bats as the cause of virus, it said it is forbidding fresh produce, including mangoes, dates and bananas-the bats preferred fruits.
Fruit bats are under test
Indian health officials have not been able to detect the source of Nipah outbreak and have begun a fresh round of check on fruit bats from Perambra, the suspected epicentre of the virus.
Kerala has transmitted 116 suspected cases for testing in recent weeks whilst 15 has been confirmed with the deadly virus and 13 of these people have died with two patients’ still enduring treatment.
No confirmed cases of the virus have been found outside the state.
The vaccine for the virus has still not found, which is spread trough body fluids and can cause encephalitis or inflammation of the brain, the World Health Organization says.
Preceding week, the UAE consulate in Kerala recommended travelers to take safety measures and follow instructions issued by Indian authorities.
The Gulf state has in addition banned imports o live animals from South Africa, based on a notice from World Health Organization for Animal health (OIE) of the registration of Rift Valley Fever disease.
By Sowmya Sangam
