RANCHI: The Nipah Virus (NiV) scare reached the state with passengers on trains from Kerela being screened by the health department as a precautionary measure. Though no cases of contamination in the state has been reported yet, state health authorities on Monday sent out advisories to the common public to avoid the spread of the disease in Jharkhand.While talking to TOI, state health services director Sumant Mishra said, "We are taking all precautionary measures needed to avoid the spread of the virus in the state. No cases of contamination has been reported yet, but the advisory has been drafted so that people are aware about the modes of contamination."Social media in the capital has been abuzz with people sharing various precautionary measures about the NiV. It has claimed 14 lives in Kerela so far and the health officials of the southern state are being provided with protective suits to avoid contamination through contact with the patients.Mishra said the threat is not very huge for Jharkhand as of now. "Though the virus has caused a huge scare, it is highly unlikely to spread out to the state. But people should be careful and follow the advisory and maintain cleanliness as a precautionary measure. The health department is taking all necessary measures to make sure that the virus doesn't reach Jharkhand."The advisory by the state has directed the people to keep a distance from bat populated areas and report a fever that has lasted for more than 21 days. The advisory also has directions to avoid consumption of fruits with bite marks.

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