In a alarming development, West Bengal has recorded its first death from the deadly Nipah virus. A nurse admitted to the intensive care unit of a hospital in Barasat, North 24 Parganas district, passed away on Thursday after battling a secondary lung infection linked to the virus.
Health department officials confirmed that this nurse, along with another colleague, were the only confirmed cases of Nipah infection in the state so far. The second nurse remains under treatment at the same facility, where medical teams are working tirelessly to stabilize her condition.
Authorities have moved swiftly to contain any potential spread. Contact tracing efforts identified all individuals who came into close proximity with the infected nurses. Samples from these contacts were rushed to laboratories for testing, and the latest reports show all results coming back negative. No further traces of the virus have been detected among those exposed.
Nipah virus, primarily carried by fruit bats, poses a severe threat with a mortality rate exceeding 50%. Transmission often occurs through consumption of fruits contaminated by bat saliva or droppings. The World Health Organization has also flagged stray dogs as potential carriers, adding another layer of concern.
Early symptoms mimic a common fever, with rising body temperature, followed by severe complications like seizures, sore throat, respiratory distress, and in critical cases, coma. There is no specific cure or vaccine yet, though research continues globally. Doctors emphasize early detection as the key to improving survival odds.
This incident underscores the need for heightened vigilance in regions prone to zoonotic diseases. Public health campaigns are ramping up to educate on avoiding bat-contaminated food sources and recognizing warning signs promptly. West Bengal’s health machinery remains on high alert, ensuring no lapse in surveillance.