New Delhi has clarified that West Bengal has seen just two confirmed Nipah virus cases since December, countering widespread media speculation. The Health Ministry issued a statement on January 27, expressing alarm over misleading reports inflating the threat.
In a detailed official release, the ministry revealed that health teams identified 196 close contacts from these cases. The National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) conducted rigorous monitoring and testing, with all results coming back negative—no symptoms detected.
No additional infections have surfaced beyond these two, thanks to swift action. Central and state authorities ramped up surveillance, lab diagnostics, and field investigations, effectively containing the outbreak before it could spread.
The ministry emphasized ongoing vigilance, with public health measures in full swing. Nipah, a zoonotic virus jumping from fruit bats to humans via saliva, urine, or bodily fluids, poses severe risks like respiratory distress and encephalitis. With no vaccine or specific cure, prevention remains key.
Citizens and media are urged to rely solely on verified government sources, avoiding unconfirmed rumors that breed panic. This proactive stance underscores India’s robust disease response framework, keeping public safety first.