With two human Nipah cases detected in West Bengal recently and many more people put in isolation as a precautionary measure, the Alipore Zoological Garden has stepped up monitoring of resident fruit and Indian flying fox bats in the zoo.

Speaking to The Indian Express, Tripti Shah, Director, Alipore Zoo, Thursday remarked: “As per the advice of veterinary officers, disinfecting sprays are being used. This is done mainly in the winter season, as there is a huge rush of visitors, and that brings more infection. If there is any advice from the government, we will implement it immediately.”

According to Shah, “The spraying in the enclosures and pathways is done once in the morning and once in the evening. And staff have been informed to especially disinfect those areas that are frequented by the bats.”

The sprays contain hypochlorite and other chemical agents.

The precautionary measures also include waste management, enclosure sanitation, spraying of antiviral medicine and routine monitoring of the bats.

The staff who enter animal enclosures have also been mandated to use gloves and masks. They must also dip their feet in foot baths before entering and when leaving the enclosures.

However, a zoo official shared that the footfall of visitors has not dwindled even after the Nipah outbreak in the state.

“Bat droppings are seen under the trees where the bats live, though the droppings are cleaned regularly. People are also not scared of the droppings as they know that the infection is spread mainly through bats licking or biting the fruits,” the officer said.