Two suspected cases of Nipah virus have been reported in Barasat, West Bengal, prompting the central government to deploy a National Joint Outbreak Response Team to support state authorities in containment efforts. Both patients, a male nurse and a female nurse employed at the same private hospital, are in critical condition and currently on ventilator support, according to officials.
The two healthcare workers had traveled to their homes in East Midnapore and East Burdwan in December before falling ill.
“Two suspected cases of Nipah virus have been reported. They both worked in the same hospital and are now admitted there. We have started contact tracing,” said Nandini Chakravorty, chief secretary of West Bengal.
Samples from both patients have been sent to the National Institute of Virology in Pune for confirmation, a second official confirmed. The Union health ministry has been alerted, and meetings have been held between the state’s chief secretary, the state health secretary, and the chief medical officers of North 24 Parganas, East Burdwan, and East Midnapore.
The Ministry of Health issued a statement on X saying, “Union Health Minister Shri JP Nadda assures the West Bengal Government of comprehensive technical, logistical and operational support following the detection of two suspected Nipah virus cases at ICMR-VRDL, AIIMS Kalyani.”
The statement further noted, “Immediate coordinated action has been initiated; laboratory support, enhanced surveillance, case management, IPC measures and expert guidance have been mobilised. Shri Nadda spoke with Chief Minister Smt. Mamata Banerjee, underscoring close Centre–State coordination. A National Joint Outbreak Response Team has been deployed and standard protocols shared to ensure effective containment.”
UNDERSTANDING NIPAH VIRUS AND ITS SYMPTOMS
Nipah (NiV) is a zoonotic virus, meaning it can be transmitted from animals to humans. Medical journals cite evidence showing that fruit bats and pigs are hosts of the virus, which can cause severe illness in both animals and humans.
Since the virus was first identified in Malaysia in 1998, patients in all reported outbreaks have typically experienced a sudden onset of flu-like symptoms, including fever, headache, respiratory difficulties, convulsions, coughing, and vomiting. If the virus is not detected early, further complications such as respiratory infections and atypical pneumonia may develop.
These symptoms can advance rapidly within 24 to 48 hours, potentially progressing to coma and death.
TREATMENT OPTIONS FOR NIPAH VIRUS
Currently, there is no cure or vaccine available for the Nipah virus. However, on September 16, it was reported that the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) is accelerating efforts to develop a potential vaccine.
Treatment options remain limited to symptomatic and supportive care aimed at managing the signs and symptoms of the illness. In cases where further complications arise, treatment for possible encephalitis must be considered, as the virus can be transmitted from person to person. Implementing standard infection control practices is therefore crucial to prevent transmission.