Mangaluru:  On the backdrop of Nipah virus infections and death reported in neighbouring state Kerala, Dakshina Kannada deputy Commissioner Dr Rajendra K V has issued an alert and asked officials concerned to take all necessary precautionary measures.

In a statement issued here on Tuesday said, "A 12-year-old boy died of Nipah virus infection in Kozhikode. The infection has spread to health staff as well. Dakshina Kannada shares its border with Kerala. A large number of people commute to the district for health and education purposes. Hence people should be cautious."

He said that Nipah is a zoonotic virus which spreads from animals to humans and also transmitted directly between people, the DC said the symptoms include acute respiratory illness and fatal encephalitis besides fever, headache, cough and throat ache. The health authorities should inform the health department immediately if any person was found experiencing symptoms of Nipah, he added.