Death toll from Nipah virus-induced fever in north Kerala has risen to ten. The State Health Department issued an alert to the public.

Our correspondent reports, the latest victim is a a 31-year-old nurse at Perambra Taluk hospital in Kozhikode district in Kerala who succumbed Monday morning due to suspected symptoms of the Nipah virus attack.

A high-level central team is presently visiting the infected areas of the district and is scheduled to have detailed discussion with administration and health department.

A district-level special task force headed by district collector has been formed to coordinate precautionary steps and disease management activities.

Control rooms are opened across the State. The state health Minister KK Shailaja said that all necessary measures had been taken for the protection the patients and hospital staff and the state government is in constant touch with the Central government for all necessary assistance to deal with the situation.

This is the first detection in Kerala of the Nipah virus which has a high fatality rate and spreads mainly through bats, pigs and other animals.

Its symptoms include fever, vomiting, headache and respiratory problems.

Health workers have been asked to take the highest level of protection while handling patients and the public had been alerted to ensure clean environment and to take medical assistance at the earliest in case of symptoms.