Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has issued an alert to all the medical colleges and district headquarters hospitals in the state to take precautionary measures in the wake of the Nipah virus outbreak.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), Nipah virus is a newly emerging zoonosis that causes a severe disease in both animals and humans. The Nipah virus (NiV), which is mainly transmitted through fruit bats, has so far claimed 12 lives in the country, including that of a nurse.

WHO has named Nipah as one of the eight priority diseases that could cause a global epidemic, alongside the likes of Ebola and Zika.

The health department has asked the five medical colleges and 30 district headquarters hospitals to prepare themselves for contingencies.

Although no such case was reported from any part of the state so far, the director, in the letter, underscored the need to take preventive measures against the deadly virus as treatment options were restricted. The health department also advised people to avoid consuming fruits that are half-eaten by bats or birds.

"A detailed advisory, with preventive measures and common signs, would be issued soon," said director of health services Braja Kishore Brahma. "No such case has been reported to us so far from the state. But, we need to be ready to deal with it. There is no need to panic," he added.

The All-India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Bhubaneswar, has already set up an isolated ward to admit patients afflicted with the virus.

The symptoms that start appearing five to 14 days after infection include dizziness, headache, fever, nausea, drowsiness and confusion. Experts have advised to look out for the signs.

"This infection can occur in humans without showing any symptoms. However, it is essential for people to look out for influenza-like symptoms," said physician Anshuman Mishra.

A number of private hospitals in the state have also taken up precautionary measures.