ALBAWABA- Indian health authorities have confirmed five cases of Nipah virus (NiV) infection in West Bengal, triggering swift containment efforts to prevent further spread.
The outbreak is centered near Kolkata in Barasat, North 24 Parganas district, and involves healthcare workers at a private hospital, including nurses and staff who likely contracted the virus from an undiagnosed patient with severe respiratory symptoms.
As of Monday, nearly 100 close contacts have been placed under home quarantine, while over 180 individuals have been tested. Surveillance continues throughout the 21-day incubation period. Two patients remain in critical condition in intensive care with neurological complications.
The Indian Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has issued a nationwide alert, instructing states to strengthen surveillance for acute encephalitis syndrome (AES), accelerate RT-PCR testing, and enforce strict infection control measures in healthcare facilities.
Nipah virus, a zoonotic pathogen carried primarily by fruit bats, can spill over to humans through contaminated food or direct contact with infected animals or people. Human-to-human transmission occurs via respiratory droplets or bodily fluids, particularly in close-contact settings such as hospitals.
The infection can cause mild respiratory illness or severe encephalitis, leading to confusion, seizures, coma, and death, with fatality rates ranging from 40% to 75%. There is currently no approved vaccine or specific antiviral treatment; supportive care focuses on managing symptoms and complications.
India has faced sporadic Nipah outbreaks since 2001, including notable clusters in Kerala in 2018 and 2023, which were contained through rapid contact tracing and isolation.
The current West Bengal cluster is the state’s first major incident in years and has raised concern due to its hospital-based spread and proximity to densely populated areas. Neighboring countries, including Thailand and Nepal, have heightened airport screenings for travelers from affected regions.
