Fruit sellers in Kerala pay a price for the deadly Nipah virus

Fruit sellers in Kerala have faced the brunt of the deadly Nipah virus. They say their incomes have been reduced as customers fear that fruits might be infected with the virus.

A fruit seller, Sulfi, told ANI, "Even though we are selling at half of the usual price, no one is willing to buy."

Health officials, as well as an advisory released by the government, have stated that the virus may be spread by fruit bats. 

However, a medical test report has claimed that fruit bats may not be the carrier of the virus which has claimed 14 lives so far.

The blood and serum samples of 21 bats tested at the National Institute of High Security Animal Diseases in Bhopal returned negative results for the virus.

These may, however, be initial findings and require more investigation, experts have said.