Nipah Virus Outbreak In West Bengal Sparks Urgent Response

Health officials in India are racing against time to contain a new outbreak of Nipah virus in the eastern state of West Bengal, with five confirmed infections and nearly 100 people under quarantine as of January 23, 2026. The outbreak, which has gripped the region near Kolkata, has brought back memories of previous deadly episodes and renewed concerns about the threat posed by this rare, bat-borne pathogen.

The current cluster began in Barasat, a town about 25 kilometers from Kolkata, where two nurses working at a private hospital developed high fever and respiratory distress after caring for a patient with severe symptoms. According to Outbreak News Today, "the condition of the male nurse is improving but the woman patient remains very critical. Both of them are being treated in the ICCU (Intensive Coronary Care Unit)," reported the West Bengal health department. Tragically, the patient they treated died before testing could confirm Nipah infection, but health authorities are treating this individual as the suspected index case while investigations continue.

As the situation unfolded, three more healthcare workers—a doctor, another nurse, and a health worker—also tested positive for Nipah virus. All three were linked to the same private hospital where the initial cases emerged, and have since been transferred to the infectious diseases hospital in Beleghata, eastern Kolkata, as reported by Business Standard and The Independent. The cluster of infections among frontline medical staff has prompted swift action from state authorities, who have quarantined nearly 100 people who had close contact with the infected individuals.

Contact tracing and surveillance efforts are in full swing. Health official Narayan Swaroop Nigam told The Telegraph that 180 people had been tested and 20 high-risk contacts quarantined, all of whom were asymptomatic and tested negative. However, they will be retested at the end of a 21-day quarantine, reflecting the virus’s variable and sometimes lengthy incubation period—typically 4 to 14 days, but sometimes extending up to 45 days.

The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has issued advisories to all Indian states, urging them to strengthen surveillance, detection, and preventive measures. Several states, including Tamil Nadu, have instructed hospitals to closely monitor cases of Acute Encephalitis Syndrome (AES), especially when patients have a travel or contact history linked to West Bengal. An official advisory reads, "Persons admitted with AES, particularly those with travel or contact history linked to West Bengal, should be closely monitored and evaluated for possible Nipah virus infection."

Nipah virus (NiV) is a zoonotic virus with its natural reservoir in fruit bats of the Pteropus species. It can spread to humans through direct contact with infected animals, consumption of contaminated food, or, less commonly, close contact with infected individuals. The virus first gained international attention during a 1998-1999 outbreak among pig farmers in Malaysia and Singapore, leading to its recognition as a high-risk pathogen by the World Health Organization. Since then, sporadic outbreaks have occurred in Bangladesh, India, the Philippines, and Singapore, with India’s Kerala state reporting nine outbreaks since 2018 alone.

The symptoms of Nipah virus infection can be deceptively similar to common viral illnesses at first—fever, headache, muscle pain, fatigue, sore throat, and cough. But the disease can rapidly progress to severe respiratory issues and encephalitis, a dangerous inflammation of the brain. Neurological symptoms such as confusion, altered consciousness, seizures, or even coma may develop within days to weeks. As The Independent notes, some survivors suffer long-term neurological effects, and in rare cases, encephalitis can recur months or years after the initial infection.

The fatality rate for Nipah virus is alarmingly high, ranging from 40% to 75% depending on outbreak conditions and the quality of clinical care. In some historical outbreaks, the rate has approached even higher levels. There is no specific cure or approved vaccine for Nipah virus infection; treatment is limited to supportive care, managing symptoms and complications as they arise. The World Health Organization has classified Nipah as a priority pathogen requiring urgent research and development, but for now, prevention remains the only effective defense.

Public health advice emphasizes simple, practical measures to reduce risk. To prevent animal-to-human transmission, people are urged to avoid handling sick or dead animals, especially bats and pigs, and to steer clear of fruits that may have been contaminated by bats. Boiling date palm juice and thoroughly washing or peeling fruits can also help. For those in affected areas, avoiding close contact with symptomatic individuals and practicing frequent hand washing are crucial steps to prevent human-to-human spread. Health officials stress the importance of seeking immediate medical attention if symptoms develop after potential exposure.

The current outbreak has also reignited discussion about the challenges of controlling zoonotic diseases in densely populated, interconnected communities. As Business Standard reports, local health authorities have mobilized surveillance teams and are closely monitoring individuals who may have been exposed, aiming to stop transmission beyond the initial cluster. With the average person’s risk still considered low outside affected areas, officials are focused on early detection, isolation, and strict hygiene measures to keep the virus from gaining a foothold.

India’s experience with Nipah is not new. The country has faced multiple outbreaks since 2001, with West Bengal and Kerala emerging as the main hotspots. According to Outbreak News Today, "Since 2018, Kerala has reported a total of nine NiV outbreaks." Despite the rarity of human infections, the virus’s potential for rapid, deadly spread and the absence of a vaccine make each outbreak a cause for serious concern.

The Nipah virus has even found its way into popular culture, inspiring the 2011 film Contagion, which depicted a fast-spreading global pandemic. The real-life threat, however, is anything but fiction for those on the front lines in West Bengal and beyond.

As the situation develops, the world watches closely, hoping that India’s swift response—quarantines, contact tracing, and public awareness—will be enough to contain this deadly virus once more.