#JUSTIN: 25-year-old Nurse Dies of Nipah Virus in West Bengal Hospital
25-year-old nurse dies from Nipah virus in West Bengal, first recorded fatality in the state.
A 25-year-old nurse undergoing treatment for Nipah virus infection in a private hospital in Barasat has died, marking the first reported fatality from the virus in West Bengal. She had been on ventilator support since mid-January after her condition worsened, while another male nurse with the infection recovered and was discharged. Health authorities are closely monitoring all contacts to prevent further spread.
Nipah virus, or NiV, is a zoonotic pathogen primarily carried by fruit bats of the Pteropus species. First identified in Malaysia in 1998, outbreaks have since been reported in South and Southeast Asia, including India and Bangladesh. The virus can spread through direct contact with infected bats or pigs, consumption of contaminated food such as raw date palm sap, or close contact with infected individuals’ bodily fluids, putting healthcare workers at particular risk.
Symptoms typically appear 4–14 days after exposure and range from mild fever, headache, muscle pain, vomiting, and sore throat to severe complications such as acute respiratory distress, encephalitis, seizures, and coma. The Nipah virus has a high mortality rate, ranging from 40 to 75 percent depending on medical access, with survivors sometimes experiencing long-term neurological complications.
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One of the most alarming aspects of NiV is its human-to-human transmission potential. Cases have been documented among family members and healthcare personnel, primarily through respiratory droplets, direct contact with blood or bodily fluids, or contaminated medical equipment. Strict infection control measures, including patient isolation, use of personal protective equipment, and contact tracing, are therefore critical during outbreaks.
Currently, there is no specific antiviral therapy or approved vaccine for Nipah virus infection. Treatment is supportive, focusing on managing respiratory difficulties and neurological symptoms. Health authorities stress early detection, rapid isolation, and public awareness, advising communities to avoid consuming raw date palm sap in affected areas and to report any suspicious symptoms promptly.
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