Higher Committee for Food Safety at Public Authority for Food and Nutrition has recommended banning the import of fresh vegetables and fruits from India due to the spread of Nipah virus, local daily Al-Rai reported.

Ministry of Commerce and Industry is the authorized body to issue such a ban based on recommendation of the Higher Committee for Food Safety. The Undersecretary of Health Dr Mustafa Redha had affirmed that the ministry will take urgent precautionary health measures to prevent the outbreak of Nipah virus in the country after cases of infection were confirmed in the State of Kerala in South India.

Precautionary measures have been taken in all health facilities in coordination with Ministry of Interior and Public Authority for Food and Nutrition in Kuwait.

Nipah virus may cause severe diseases for both animals and human beings, the symptoms of which are similar to that of influenza such as high body temperature and headache, adding that the natural host of the disease is fruit bats.