Jalpaiguri Prison Overcrowding Fuels Deadly Herpes Virus

Between August 20, 2025, and March 9, 2026, a significant outbreak of the Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) affected 92 inmates at the Jalpaiguri Central Correctional Home (JCCH) in West Bengal. Tragically, seven inmates succumbed to the infection, with deaths occurring at both Jalpaiguri District Hospital and North Bengal Medical College and Hospital. Health officials have noted that while some inmates have recovered, nearly half of those infected required segregation or treatment.

The severe overcrowding at JCCH, housing over 1,200 inmates against a sanctioned capacity of around 700, has been identified as a major contributing factor to the outbreak. Close physical contact, shared facilities, and inadequate hygiene exacerbate the risks, according to a letter from the Chief Medical Officer of Health. Recommendations included isolation, improved hygiene, better ventilation, and decongestion of living quarters.

Public health experts emphasize that while HSV is common, untreated cases can lead to serious complications like encephalitis, potentially proving fatal. The situation is particularly concerning within the confined and overcrowded environment of a correctional facility. West Bengal's district prisons, with an occupancy rate of 158% in 2023, face significant challenges in managing inmate health and hygiene.