Nipah virus: The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has confirmed the presence of Nipah virus in bats found in Battery (pronounced बतेरी) and Mananthavady regions of Wayanad District in Kerala.

Its presence was confirmed from the samples taken from the region last month.

State Health Minister Veena George in a statement said health workers have been asked to maintain vigil and to remain alert about symptoms of viral infections.

She said consumption of fruits eaten by birds and animals should be avoided and studies to find the presence of the virus in other districts have also been taken up.

The Minister said the Kerala-One Health Centre for Nipah Research, established at the Kozhikode Medical College, will be upgraded to a State-level research institute later.

Meanwhile, the 42-day incubation period after the first case of Nipah virus was reported in Kozhikode district will end tomorrow. The isolation period of patients who tested positive for the virus is also over. A function slated to take place tomorrow in Kozhikode to declare the district as Nipah-free, however, was postponed.