To Visit Kerala or Not is The Question: Tourists Confused After Nipah Virus Advisory

New Delhi: Hours after Kerala government issued an advisory asking travellers to avoid visiting Kozhikode, Malappuram, Wayanad and Kannur, the state police chief clarified that it was only for the four districts of northern Kerala while travelling in other parts were safe.

“It has come to our notice that a number of fake/false messages are circulating through social media asking people not to visit Kerala or not to allow people of Kerala to go to other places due to NIPAH virus attack which have been reported in Perambra near Kozhikode. Such messages have caused panic among the people. No official agency has issued such an advisory," Kerala DGP Loknath Behera said in a statement.

Health Secretary Rajeev Sadanandan also said, “Travelling to any part of Kerala is safe. However, if travellers wish to be extra cautious, they may avoid the four districts."

With 10 Nipah virus related deaths being reported so far from northern Kerala, the state government on Wednesday issued an advisory, asking travellers to avoid visiting the four districts of Kozhikode, Malappuram, Wayanad and Kannur.

Behara warned that stern action would be taken against those who spread false information with regard to the virus in the social media.

Creation of fake or false messages, spreading them to cause panic or public disorder are criminal acts and liable for investigation and prosecution, he said.

Directions have been issued to DGP (crimes) to register criminal cases against the creators of the messages and propagators, he said.

Ten people have lost their lives to Nipah in Kozhikode and Malappuram districts so far and 19 are undergoing treatment in various hospitals, including one in Waynad. Of the 13 confirmed cases, 10 persons have died. Isolation wards have also been set up in Thalassery government hospital in Kannur.

The state government's plan to expand tourism destinations in northern Kerala could face hurdles in the wake of virus attack. Kerala Tourism director P Bala Kiran told IANS two days ago, "The northern parts of the state like Wayanad, Kannur, Kozhikode, Thissur, Malapuram and Palakad are on the list of new tourism destinations. This will be a separate circuit which will be complementing the existing tourism circuit in south Kerala."