Concerns Rise as Nipah Virus Suspected in Kolkata Nurses

In a troubling development, two nurses in Kolkata are critically ill, suspected of contracting the Nipah virus. As health authorities investigate the situation, concerns grow over a potential outbreak in West Bengal after nearly two decades. The World Health Organization has classified the Nipah virus as highly dangerous, with a significant mortality rate and no known cure. The central health ministry has mobilized a response team to trace contacts and monitor those potentially exposed. This incident marks the ninth outbreak of the virus in India, highlighting ongoing challenges in understanding its transmission. Read on for more details about this alarming health crisis.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jan 13, 2026, 17:22 IST

Nurses in Critical Condition Due to Nipah Virus Suspicions

In Barasat, located in the outskirts of Kolkata's North 24 Parganas district, two nurses are in critical condition, suspected of being infected with the Nipah virus. They are currently reliant on life-support systems. Blood samples from both the male and female nurses are undergoing testing in two different laboratories, prompting heightened vigilance as there are fears that the virus may have resurfaced in West Bengal after a 19-year hiatus.

Initial investigations suggest that the health workers may have contracted the virus during a work-related trip to Purba Bardhaman. However, officials have acknowledged that the exact source of the infection and the mode of transmission remain unclear.

Health Authorities Respond to the Situation

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the mortality rate for the Nipah virus ranges from 45% to 75%, and there is neither a specific treatment nor a preventive vaccine available, making it one of the most dangerous zoonotic pathogens known. The central health ministry has extended support to the state government and deployed a national joint outbreak response team. This team is actively tracing individuals who came into contact with the two patients and is screening everyone who may have been exposed to the virus.

A source from the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) under the health ministry stated that they have yet to determine how the nurses contracted the infection, but their condition remains serious.

Historical Context of Nipah Virus in India

Since its identification in Malaysia in 1999, this marks the ninth recorded outbreak of the Nipah virus in India. The first two outbreaks occurred in West Bengal and were linked to the consumption of raw date palm sap. Following that, outbreaks have been reported almost annually in Kerala between 2018 and 2025. Despite extensive investigations, there is still no definitive explanation for how this virus, which is naturally found in fruit bats, continues to spread among humans.