West Bengal Nipah virus scare: Two nurses ‘very critical’ - All you need to know about causes and symptoms

File photo (Reuters)

• Two West Bengal nurses suspected of Nipah virus, both critically ill.
• Samples tested at AIIMS Kalyani; confirmation of Nipah infection is awaited
• No treatment or vaccine for Nipah virus; fatality rate up to 75%.

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Two suspected Nipah virus cases have been detected in West Bengal, triggering concern among health authorities. Official sources said samples from two nurses were tested at the AIIMS Kalyani Virus Research and Diagnostic Laboratory.

According to the state health department, the patients — a male and a female nurse working at the same private hospital in Barasat, North 24 Parganas — are in "very critical condition". Preliminary test results point to a possible Nipah virus infection. One nurse is a resident of Nadia district, while the other lives in Katwa in Purba Bardhaman. Further confirmation is awaited.

What is Nipah virus?

The World Health Organization (WHO) classifies Nipah virus (NiV) as a zoonotic disease, meaning it spreads from animals to humans. It can also transmit through contaminated food or direct human-to-human contact. In humans, the infection can range from mild or symptomless illness to fatal brain inflammation (encephalitis).

How does Nipah virus spread?

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Nipah virus can spread through:

• Direct contact with infected animals such as bats or pigs
• Consumption of food contaminated by infected animals (like raw palm sap or fruit)
• Close contact with an infected person or their bodily fluids

Symptoms of Nipah virus infection

Early symptoms include fever, headache, muscle pain, vomiting and sore throat. These may progress to dizziness, confusion, drowsiness and neurological signs, indicating encephalitis. Severe cases can involve acute respiratory distress, seizures and coma, sometimes within 24–48 hours.

The fatality rate ranges between 40% and 75%, depending on outbreak management and healthcare response.

Is there any treatment?

There is no specific antiviral drug or vaccine for Nipah virus at present. The WHO has listed Nipah as a priority disease for research. Control measures include isolation of patients, strict infection control, culling of infected animals where necessary, and restrictions on animal movement to prevent further spread.