Nipah Virus West Bengal: The National Institute of Virology (NIV) in Pune has confirmed Nipah virus infection in two samples sent from West Bengal. These samples were taken from two nurses working at a private hospital in Barasat. Officials said the condition of both nurses remains critical.
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Nipah Virus West Bengal: The National Institute of Virology (NIV) in Pune has confirmed Nipah virus infection in two samples sent from West Bengal. These samples were taken from two nurses working at a private hospital in Barasat. Officials said the condition of both nurses remains critical.
This confirmation from Pune comes after preliminary tests at AIIMS Kalyani had previously returned positive. The samples were then sent for re-testing. Nipah is a rare but extremely deadly viral disease, and health officials are now on high alert to prevent its spread.
The two infected nurses, a man and a woman, are currently undergoing treatment at the Barasat hospital where they work.
According to TOI, both patients are on ventilator support, while the female nurse has fallen into a coma. Doctors are following strict infection control protocols, but officials acknowledged that the severity of the illness remains a major concern.
Meanwhile, a house staff doctor at a hospital in Burdwan, who came in contact with one of the nurses, has developed a mild fever. Health officials plan to admit the doctor to Beliaghata ID Hospital for further testing and treatment.
Over 120 contacts traced, many in home isolation
The state health department has identified over 120 people who came in close contact with the two nurses in recent days. These include family members, doctors, nurses, ambulance drivers, and other health workers. All identified contacts have been advised to remain in home isolation, and efforts are underway to trace more people.
According to officials, the female nurse was initially treated at hospitals in Katwa and Burdwan before being taken to Barasat. As a result, 10 people from Katwa, including two doctors, and 38 people from Burdwan, including eight doctors, have also been placed in home isolation. Samples from some close contacts have already been sent for testing.
Source of Infection Unclear
Health officials said the exact source of the infection is still unknown. Human-to-human transmission is likely, as a health worker at the same Barasat hospital died a few weeks ago after experiencing Nipah-like symptoms.
An official told TOI, “The exact source of the infection is difficult to pinpoint. It could have spread from human to human, or they could have contracted the virus from contaminated fruits or fresh date palm juice.”
The nurses have no recent travel history outside the state, but they visited their hometowns in East Midnapore and Katwa shortly before falling ill. Officials said that in rural areas, people often drink raw date palm juice during winter, which could be contaminated by fruit bats, known carriers of the Nipah virus.
A special panel has been formed to closely monitor the situation and is coordinating with the National Joint Outbreak Response Team sent by the Union Health Ministry.
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