West Bengal’s North 24 Parganas district has reported two suspected cases of Nipah virus infection, officials confirmed on Monday, January 13, 2026. The patients, a male nurse and a female nurse, were employed at the same private hospital in Barasat. Both are currently in critical condition and have been placed on ventilators.

The two nurses had traveled to their homes in East Midnapore and East Burdwan in December, before falling ill. This has prompted immediate contact tracing and public health interventions to prevent further spread.

Government Response and Coordination

The state and Union governments have mobilized resources to contain the potential outbreak. West Bengal Chief Secretary Nandini Chakravorty confirmed that contact tracing has begun in the affected districts. The Union Health Ministry, via a post on X (formerly Twitter), stated that Health Minister JP Nadda assured the West Bengal government of comprehensive technical, logistical, and operational support.

A National Joint Outbreak Response Team has been deployed, and standard containment protocols have been shared with state authorities. Minister Nadda also held discussions with Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to ensure close Centre–State coordination.

Testing and Containment Measures

Samples from the two suspected cases have been sent to the National Institute of Virology (NIV) in Pune for confirmation. State health officials have already started monitoring the districts where the nurses had visited. People who came in contact with the suspected patients have been traced and instructed to self-isolate at home.

State Health Secretary NS Nigam reassured the public that West Bengal has sufficient capacity to test for Nipah virus and manage potential cases.

About Nipah Virus

• Origin: Nipah virus is commonly found in fruit bats.
• Transmission: While the exact pathways are not fully understood, humans and animals can get infected through contact with saliva or urine of infected fruit bats. Pigs and cattle can also act as intermediary hosts.
• Mortality Rate: Approximately 70% of infected individuals succumb to the infection, making Nipah one of the deadliest zoonotic viruses known.
• Symptoms: Fever, headache, drowsiness, and neurological symptoms like confusion or disorientation. Severe cases can progress rapidly to encephalitis or respiratory distress.

Public Health Advisory

Authorities emphasize that early identification, isolation of suspected cases, and strict hygiene measures are key to containment. The public is urged to:

• Avoid consumption of raw date palm sap or fruits potentially contaminated by bats.
• Limit direct contact with people showing symptoms such as fever or neurological issues.
• Follow official guidance regarding self-isolation if identified as a contact.

Current Situation

As of January 13, the two suspected patients remain under intensive care. All contacts are being traced and monitored. With rapid response teams deployed, the government aims to prevent any further transmission of the virus.