The deadly Nipah virus, carried mainly by fruit bats, has killed at least 10 people in southern India, sparking a statewide health alert. (AFP photo)BENGALURU/KOCHI, INDIA: A rare virus spread by fruit bats, which can cause flu-like symptoms and brain damage, has killed 10 people in southern India, health officials said on Tuesday, with at least nine more being treated. We have no prior experience in dealing with the Nipah virus," she said. Health officials in Kerala, which attracts many tourists, aims to soon issue a travel advisory, tourism official P Bala Kiran said. The Nipah virus was first detected in Malaysia in 1998, and India has suffered two outbreaks in the last decade, killing 50 people, according to the WHO.

Source: Bangkok Post May 22, 2018 19:41 UTC