Saudi Arabia bans produce from Kerala

Dubai: Saudi Arabia has banned frozen and processed fruit and vegetable imports from Kerala amid concerns over a deadly virus that is spreading in India, Al Arabiya reported.

The Nipah virus itself can cause encephalitis — a dangerous swelling of the brain — and common symptoms vary from none to elevated fevers, cough, headache, shortness of breath and confusion.

The United Arab Emirates has also previously banned imports from Kerala.

On May 29, officials there acted swiftly to announce that 100 tonnes of fruit, vegetables and fresh produce that was to be imported in the UAE from Kerala was prohibited from entry.

A UAE-based health provider, VPS Healthcare, sent a flight to the Kerala Government carrying medical supplies that will help the fight against Nipah.

Indian health officials have not yet traced the origin of the Nipah outburst.

However, they are suspecting the epicenter of the infection to be Perambra.

Therefore, health officials have carried out a fresh round of tests on fruit bats from Perambra.

Suspecting a second wave of the infection, authorities in Kerala have scaled up the number of people under observation for Nipah to over 1,400.

-Hams Saleh is an intern at Gulf News