West Bengal reports two Nipah cases in nurses near Kolkata; quarantine and surveillance intensified

Indian health authorities have confirmed two Nipah virus cases in West Bengal, with two nurses at a private hospital near Kolkata reported to be infected, and one reportedly in a coma. The cases triggered quarantine, surveillance and expanded testing as officials moved to contain any potential spread.

According to reported timelines cited by the publication, the nurses developed high fever and respiratory distress after working in the hospital during late December, and were later admitted to intensive care. Health officials indicated an initial investigation suggests both may have been exposed through contact with a patient who had severe respiratory symptoms and died before being tested—treated as the suspected index case.

As of 20 January, the report said 180 people had been tested and 20 high-risk contacts quarantined, with tests returning negative so far. Officials said the quarantined contacts would be retested after completing a 21-day isolation period, reflecting a cautious approach given Nipah’s high fatality risk.

National and state agencies, including the National Centre for Disease Control, were reported to be involved. The response also extended to wildlife surveillance, with officials testing bats at Kolkata’s Alipore Zoo and conducting RT-PCR testing in parts of the state, given that fruit bats are known reservoirs for the virus.

Nipah is a zoonotic disease that can spread from animals to humans and also via person-to-person transmission. With no specific cure or vaccine widely available, public health strategy focuses on rapid identification, infection control in healthcare settings, tracing contacts, and clear risk communication to prevent panic while ensuring compliance with safety measures.