India reports Nipah virus infections in West Bengal: two nurses infected, surveillance and quarantine stepped up
Health authorities have confirmed Nipah virus infections involving two nurses note-linked to a private hospital near Kolkata, prompting quarantine and expanded surveillance. Officials say the likely exposure was through a patient treated earlier at the same facility, while testing of contacts and broader monitoring has been initiated.
What has been confirmed
Indian health authorities have confirmed Nipah virus infections in West Bengal involving two nurses at a private hospital near Kolkata, according to a report that cites multiple outlets and officials familiar with the response. One nurse was described as being in critical condition, with reports stating she is in a coma. The cases have triggered heightened surveillance, isolation protocols and contact tracing due to Nipah’s known severity and outbreak potential.
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Officials indicated that the most likely source of infection was a patient previously admitted to the same hospital with severe respiratory symptoms. The patient reportedly died before Nipah testing could be completed, and is being treated as the suspected index case while investigations continue.
Containment steps: testing, quarantine, and field checks
As of 20 January 2026, the report says 180 people had been tested, and 20 high-risk contacts were quarantined, with tests reported negative so far. The response has expanded beyond the hospital setting. National agencies including the National Centre for Disease Control were reported to be involved, reflecting the seriousness with which authorities treat Nipah alerts.
The report also notes field activity aimed at understanding any potential animal linkages, with teams collecting samples from bats at Kolkata’s Alipore Zoo and conducting RT-PCR testing as part of broader surveillance, since fruit bats are widely considered a natural reservoir for Nipah in South Asia.
Why Nipah is treated as high-risk
Nipah is a zoonotic virus that can spread from animals to humans and can also transmit person-to-person in certain contexts. Illness can range from fever and respiratory symptoms to severe neurological disease, including fatal encephalitis. There is no specific cure or approved vaccine widely available for routine use, making early detection, isolation and strict infection control essential.
Practical precautions commonly emphasised during alerts
- Follow hospital infection-control guidance, especially for respiratory illness care and PPE use.
- Avoid contact with bats or sick animals; do not handle wildlife without protective measures.
- Wash fruits thoroughly and practise basic hygiene, especially in outbreak advisories.
- If symptomatic after exposure in a flagged area, report early to health services for assessment.
Authorities have urged vigilance rather than panic, with surveillance designed to detect additional cases quickly and prevent wider spread. The situation remains under investigation as public health teams continue testing, tracing and monitoring in and around Kolkata.