West Bengal reports Nipah virus cases in two nurses near Kolkata; surveillance and quarantine expanded as officials trace source

Kolkata: Indian health authorities have confirmed Nipah virus infections in West Bengal after two nurses at a private hospital near Kolkata tested positive, according to reports cited by international media. One of the nurses is reported to be in critical condition, prompting heightened surveillance and a stepped-up public health response.

Officials said preliminary investigation suggests both nurses may have contracted the infection while treating a patient who was admitted with severe respiratory symptoms and later died before Nipah testing could be conducted. The deceased patient is being treated as a suspected index case as the state’s surveillance effort works to map contacts and identify any additional infections.

According to the timeline reported, the nurses worked together in late December and subsequently developed high fever and respiratory distress in the days that followed. Their condition deteriorated and they were admitted to intensive care at the same hospital where they work. The incident has triggered a broad contact-tracing exercise, with health teams screening potential exposure chains within the hospital and the wider community.

As of 20 January, authorities had tested 180 people and quarantined 20 high-risk contacts, with tests reported negative so far. Officials said those in quarantine would be re-tested after completing a 21-day isolation period, reflecting the caution required for a virus known for high fatality in some outbreaks.

State and national agencies have been mobilised, including the National Centre for Disease Control. Reports also said sampling and testing efforts were expanded to understand possible animal sources, including testing bats, given that fruit bats are known reservoirs for Nipah and the virus is zoonotic.

The World Health Organization (WHO) notes that Nipah can range from asymptomatic infection to acute respiratory illness and fatal encephalitis, and that transmission can occur via exposure to infected animals or contaminated food, as well as through person-to-person spread in some settings. Health officials have urged precautionary measures while emphasising that surveillance and containment steps are underway.