Bengaluru, Jul 25: The Karnataka government on Thursday issued an advisory asking the people of the state to avoid travelling to Malappuram district in neighbouring Kerala where a 14-year-old boy died on July 21 after he became infected with the Nipah virus.

The Commissionerate of Health and Family Welfare, however, said in a statement that as the case reported at Malappuram was one of Acute Encephalitis Syndrome (AES) (a Nipah symptom), and further high risk contacts have been tested negative, the chance of human-to-human transmission seems very less and there is no need to panic at this moment.

“But as a precautionary step, one may avoid travel until it is very essential, to the affected areas of Kerala (Malappuram district), till the area is declared safe of Nipah virus infection,” the Commissionerate said.

It said no cases of Nipah have been reported in Karnataka till date.

“The state of Karnataka has been taking all necessary actions to curtail the cross-border transmission of the infection from Kerala since the outbreak was reported,” it said.

Fruit bats are the usual carriers of the virus, it said, and added that humans can become infected by accidentally consuming fruits bitten by bats or contaminated with its saliva.

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Bengaluru, Nov 26: Karnataka minister K H Muniyappa on Monday said the officials have been instructed to restore the Below Poverty Line and Above Poverty Line ration cards as they existed earlier.

The Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Minister said the decision to this effect was taken in a meeting on November 21 on the orders of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.

Muniyappa said he has instructed officials to correct all the ration cards by November 28 and distribute rice to the BPL ration card holders with all the facilities.

This comes after some confusion in the state over the cancellation of many Below Poverty Line ration cards while the list of BPL families was being revised. The minister clarified that there was no need to worry for the eligible beneficiaries.

"Steps are being taken to ensure that the eligible beneficiaries are not inconvenienced, and the ineligible ration cards of taxpayers and government employees will be transferred to APL," he said.

The minister underlined that the state government has introduced pro-poor schemes for the benefit of economically weaker sections.

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