2 suspected cases of Nipah virus reported in West Bengal, Center took precautionary measures

Updated: 12-01-2026, 08.02 PM

What is the news?

Two suspected cases of Nipah virus disease have been reported in the Virus Research and Diagnostic Laboratory (VRDL) of All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Kalyani, West Bengal. In this regard, the Secretary of the Health and Family Welfare Department of the Central Government discussed the matter with the Chief Secretary and Principal Secretary (Health) of the Government of West Bengal to review the situation and ensure prompt action. After this, the National Joint Outbreak Response Team has also been deployed on the spot.

Who is included in the response team?

The National Joint Outbreak Response Team deployed at the spot includes experts from All India Institute of Health and Public Hygiene, Kolkata, National Institute of Virology (NIV), Pune, National Institute of Epidemiology (NIE), Chennai, AIIMS Kalyani and the Wildlife Department of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. Union Medical Minister JP Nadda has assured full support by writing a letter to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and then speaking on telephone.

guidance

Central Government guidelines shared with IDSP

The Central Government guidelines on Nipah virus disease under the Infectious Disease Alert have been shared with the State Integrated Disease Surveillance Program (IDSP). Additionally, the National Center for Disease Control (NCDC), Delhi-based Public Health Emergency Operations Center (PHEOC) has been activated to coordinate the national response. The Central Government is providing extensive technical, logistics and operational support to the State. The state has been advised to ensure close coordination with the deployed expert teams.

What is Nipah virus?

Nipah virus is known as a zoonotic infection, meaning it can spread from animals to humans. This virus was first identified in 1999. Nipah virus is named after the village of Sungai Nipah in Malaysia, where it was first found. This virus can spread to humans through pigs, dogs, goats, cats, horses and sheep.

What are the symptoms of Nipah virus?

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), Nipah virus in humans causes infections ranging from asymptomatic infections to acute respiratory infections and fatal encephalitis. Infected people initially have fever, headache, muscle pain, vomiting and sore throat. After this, symptoms like dizziness, insomnia and loss of memory etc. appear. In severe cases encephalitis and seizures occur and the patient falls into a coma within 24 to 48 hours.