Indian health authorities are responding to a Nipah virus outbreak after five confirmed cases of the deadly disease were detected in West Bengal, near the state capital, Kolkata.
Officials confirmed that three new infections were recorded this week, involving a doctor, a nurse, and another healthcare worker, according to India’s Press Trust. Two nurses, one male and one female, had earlier tested positive after working at Narayana Multispeciality Hospital in Barasat, located about 15 miles north of Kolkata.
West Bengal’s Principal Secretary for Health and Family Welfare, Narayan Swaroop Nigam, disclosed that one of the infected nurses is currently in critical condition and remains in a coma. The nurse reportedly developed a high fever and severe respiratory complications between New Year’s Eve and January 2. Authorities believe the infection was contracted while treating a patient who presented serious respiratory symptoms and later died before laboratory tests could be conducted.
As containment efforts intensify, health officials say approximately 180 people have been tested so far, while at least 20 high-risk contacts have been placed under quarantine.
Nipah virus is a bat-borne zoonotic disease that spreads from animals to humans and can also be transmitted between people. Fruit bats are its natural hosts and are widely found across India. Human infections can range from mild or asymptomatic cases to severe respiratory illness and fatal brain inflammation. Common early symptoms include fever, headache, muscle pain, vomiting, sore throat, and fatigue. In more severe cases, encephalitis may develop rapidly, sometimes leading to coma within 24 to 48 hours.
The virus has an alarmingly high fatality rate, estimated between 40 and 75 percent, and there is currently no approved treatment or vaccine. Due to its epidemic potential, the World Health Organization has classified Nipah as a priority pathogen requiring urgent research and preparedness.
India has reported Nipah virus cases almost every year for over two decades, with repeated outbreaks recorded in the southern state of Kerala. Since 2018, dozens of deaths have been linked to the virus in the region. Health experts say the risk of infection can be reduced by avoiding contact with bats and pigs, and by not consuming raw date palm sap, which may be contaminated by bats.
The early symptoms of Nipah virus infection often resemble common viral illnesses, making early detection difficult. However, the disease can quickly escalate into severe respiratory distress and neurological complications. Symptoms such as confusion, seizures, altered consciousness, and coma may appear within days or weeks. Some survivors are left with long-term neurological damage, and in rare cases, encephalitis can recur months or even years after recovery.
Public health officials continue to stress preventive measures as the most effective defense. Residents in affected areas are advised to avoid handling sick or dead animals, especially bats and pigs, and to stay away from fruits that may have been contaminated. Washing or peeling fruits thoroughly and boiling date palm juice before consumption are also recommended. To prevent human-to-human transmission, frequent handwashing, avoiding close contact with infected individuals, and seeking immediate medical care after potential exposure are strongly advised.
The current outbreak has renewed concerns over the growing threat of zoonotic diseases in densely populated regions. Surveillance teams have been deployed, and exposed individuals are being closely monitored in an effort to prevent further spread. While the overall risk remains low outside affected areas, health authorities say early detection, strict isolation protocols, and strong hygiene practices are crucial to stopping the virus from gaining a wider foothold.
