Nipah Scare Deepens in Bengal as Pune Lab Confirms Infection in Two Nurses; Over 120 Contacts Isolated

Anxiety has gripped West Bengal’s health system after the National Institute of Virology (NIV) in Pune officially confirmed Nipah virus infection in two samples sent from the state. The samples belonged to two nurses — one male and one female — working at a private hospital in Barasat, both of whom are currently battling for life.

The confirmation from Pune came after preliminary tests conducted at AIIMS Kalyani returned positive results, prompting authorities to send the samples for final validation. With the high fatality rate associated with Nipah virus, health officials have stepped up surveillance and containment measures across multiple districts.

Both Nurses Critical, One in Coma

The two infected nurses are being treated at the same Barasat hospital where they are employed. According to officials, both patients are on ventilator support, and the condition of the female nurse is particularly serious as she has slipped into a coma. Hospital authorities have stated that all prescribed infection control protocols are being strictly followed, though concerns remain due to the aggressive nature of the virus.

Doctor Develops Fever After Exposure

Adding to the concern, a house staff doctor from a hospital in Burdwan — who had come in close contact with one of the nurses — has developed mild fever. Health officials are preparing to transfer the doctor to Beliaghata Infectious Diseases (ID) Hospital for closer monitoring and evaluation.

Massive Contact Tracing Underway

The state health department has so far traced more than 120 individuals who had close contact with the two nurses. These include family members, doctors, nurses, ambulance drivers, and other healthcare personnel. All identified contacts have been placed under home isolation as a precautionary measure.

Officials said contact tracing is still ongoing and the number could rise further. Samples from several close contacts have already been sent to AIIMS Kalyani for testing.

Multiple Districts on Alert

The female nurse had earlier received treatment at hospitals in Katwa and Burdwan before being shifted to Barasat, which has expanded the scope of surveillance. In Katwa, 10 people — including two doctors — are currently in home isolation. In Burdwan, 38 individuals, including eight doctors, have also been quarantined.

Apart from doctors and nurses, the list of those under observation includes ambulance drivers and other healthcare workers who may have been exposed during patient transport or treatment.

Unclear Source of Infection

Health officials admitted that the source of the infection remains uncertain. One possible link under investigation is the death of a healthcare worker from the same Barasat hospital a few weeks ago, who had reportedly shown symptoms consistent with Nipah infection. This has raised the possibility of human-to-human transmission.

However, authorities are also examining environmental exposure. “It is difficult to pinpoint the exact source. The infection could have spread through human contact, or it may have been acquired through contaminated fruits or raw date palm sap,” a health official said.

Travel History Raises Questions

The two nurses do not have any recent travel history outside West Bengal. However, both had visited their hometowns — East Midnapore and Katwa — shortly before falling ill. Officials noted that this period often sees increased movement of migrant workers returning home, which could also be a factor in transmission.

Winter consumption habits are also under scrutiny. During this season, raw date palm juice is commonly consumed in rural areas, and fruit bats — known carriers of the Nipah virus — are often attracted to date palm trees, potentially contaminating the sap.

Central Team Monitoring Situation

A special monitoring panel has been constituted at the state level and is working closely with a National Joint Outbreak Response Team dispatched by the Union health ministry. The focus remains on early detection, strict isolation, and preventing further spread of the virus.