Sirmaur district administration has swung into action after bats were found dead at Government Senior Secondary School, Barmapapri, in Nahan sub-division on Wednesday.
Fear had gripped the area as deaths due to Nipah virus are being reported in Kerala. About a dozen bats were found dead under a tree at the school.
Consequent to it, the district administration swung into action and sent samples to National Institute of Viral Diseases (NIVD) at Pune.
An emergency meeting headed by Deputy Commissioner Lalit Jain was called on Thursday that was attended by Block Medical Officer, doctors, paramedical staff, deputy director education and the school principal. An advisory has also been issued to maintain vigil in the area.
Chief Medical Officer Sanjay Sharma said that efforts are being made to ensure that there was no panic in the area. “While the samples have been sent to NIVD, Pune, to ascertain the cause of the death of the bats, the health department has geared up to take-up preventive measures and is spreading awareness in the area,” he added.
He said that the people and the students are being sensitised to remain vigilant and report any untoward incident to the district administration and the other departments concerned.
The Health department is reporting the status on the ground daily and will be submitting report to the state government, he added.
As a precautionary measure, the people in the area have been alerted about the symptoms of the Nipah virus and Information, Education and Communication (IEC) material is being distributed, he added.