Nipah virus prompts quarantine in west bengal, India
Indian authorities have confirmed two Nipah virus infections among nurses at a private hospital near Kolkata in West Bengal, prompting quarantine and monitoring measures for high-risk contacts.
One of the infected nurses is reported to be in critical condition, according to Narayan Swaroop Nigam, principal secretary of the state health department. Officials have tested 180 people, placing 20 high-risk contacts under a 21-day quarantine. All so far remain asymptomatic and have tested negative.
Nipah is a zoonotic virus that can spread from animals to humans and between people. Fruit bats are its natural host, and transmission can also occur via pigs, contaminated food, or direct human contact. The World Health Organization estimates a fatality rate of 40%–75% depending on the outbreak.
Symptoms can appear four to 14 days after exposure and include fever, headache, cough, difficulty breathing, and in severe cases, encephalitis, seizures, or coma. There is no specific cure; treatment is supportive.
India’s Ministry of Health has urged the public to follow local guidance and remain vigilant, emphasizing the importance of adhering to quarantine and preventive measures.
