Saudi Arabia bans produce from Kerala fearing Nipah Virus Spread
Saudi Arabia has reportedly put a ban on processed and frozen fruit and vegetable imports from Kerala amidst severe concerns over the deadly Nipah Virus outbreak.
The Nipah virus can result in a dangerous swelling of the brain called-encephalitis and its common symptoms can vary from a cough, headache, high fever, shortness of breath to confusion, reported the Gulf News on Monday.
The virus resides naturally in fruit bats across South and Southeast Asia and can spread to humans through contact with the animals’ bodily fluids. The difficult part is that it has no vaccine and no cure. The virus is listed by the W.H.O. as a high priority for research.
About 100 tonnes of fruits and vegetables fresh produce that was to be imported from Kerala was prohibited from entry as per orders fr...