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Nipah Virus Confirmed in Bengal Nurses: High Mortality Fears Rise
14 Jan
Summary
- Nipah virus confirmed in two nurses from Barasat hospital, both critical.
- Over 120 close contacts identified and placed in home isolation.
- Source of infection remains unclear, potential links to past case and date palm sap.
The National Institute of Virology (NIV) in Pune has confirmed the presence of the Nipah virus in samples from two nurses in Bengal, raising significant public health concerns due to the disease's high mortality rate. Both affected nurses are receiving treatment at Barasat hospital, with their conditions remaining critical and one reportedly in a coma and on ventilation.
Health authorities have initiated extensive contact tracing, identifying over 120 individuals, including family members and healthcare workers from Barasat, Katwa, and Burdwan hospitals, who have been placed in home isolation. Some of these close contacts have also had samples sent for testing. A house staff member from a Burdwan hospital, who had contact with one of the nurses, has developed a mild fever and officials are considering transferring them to a specialized facility.
