An alarm has been raised after two suspected cases of the Nipah virus were detected in Barasat in West Bengal’s North 24 Parganas district, 19 years after the last outbreak in the state. Silent, swift, and deadly, the Nipah virus is one of the world’s most feared zoonotic infections. The virus has a history of resurfacing sporadically, but given its high fatality rate of 40-75%, it needs immediate attention every time. This is the ninth recorded outbreak of Nipah virus in India.
In the current West Bengal outbreak, the virus, known for its high fatality rate, has affected two healthcare workers – a male nurse and a female nurse -employed at the same private hospital in Barasat. According to officials, both are in critical condition and on ventilator support. The two had travelled to their homes in East Midnapore and East Burdwan in December, after which they developed symptoms and fell ill.
Origin of the virus
First identified in Malaysia in 1998, the virus, which got its name from a Malaysian city, Sungai Nipah, was detected in India for the first time in Siliguri, West Bengal, in 2001, while the second outbreak occurred in Nadia in 2007, the outbreak that claimed 50 lives, according to the Lancet journal.
The virus over the years has gained a reputation for being one of the deadliest zoonotic infections globally, causing severe respiratory illness and acute brain inflammation. With a mortality rate ranging between 40 and 75 per cent, even suspected cases trigger heightened surveillance, contact tracing, and emergency containment measures by health authorities.
According to the World Health Organisation, Nipah has a fatality rate ranging from 40 to 75 per cent, which is way higher than Covid-19, dengue, or seasonal flu.
It is not fully known why the virus, which is naturally hosted by fruit bats, spills over to humans and causes outbreaks. Kerala has seen multiple outbreaks of the virus.
“Two suspected cases of Nipah virus have been reported. They both worked in the same hospital and are now admitted there. We have started contact tracing,” said Nandini Chakravorty, chief secretary of West Bengal.
“While the Union health ministry has been alerted, the state’s chief secretary and the state health secretary held meetings with the chief medical officers of North 24 Parganas, East Burdwan, and East Midnapore,” an official said.
Let’s understand more about the virus and prevention measures from experts.
What exactly is the Nipah virus, and why is it considered so dangerous?
Nipah virus is a rare but severe viral infection that affects the brain and lungs. It’s dangerous because it can cause rapid brain inflammation (encephalitis), has a high death rate, and there’s no specific cure or vaccine yet.
“Nipah is a zoonotic virus (animal to human) and a member of the family Paramyxoviridae. The fruit bat (genus Pteropus) can carry the virus and transmit it to people. Once it spreads to people, person-to-person transmission of Nipah can occur,” Dr Hatinder Jeet Singh Sethi, Additional Director, Internal Medicine, Fortis Manesar, told Financial Express.com.
Dr Sethi says the symptoms typically appear in 4-14 days following exposure to the virus; however, some infections have been reported months and even years after exposure; these are known as dormant or latent infections.
What are the signs and symptoms of Nipah virus
What start as harmless flu-like symptoms may quickly turn into coma due to encephalitis within 24-48 hours.
“Infection with Nipah virus can cause mild to severe disease, including encephalitis and potentially death. People with Nipah are usually sick for 3-14 days with fever, headache, cough, sore throat, and difficulty breathing. Later in the course of infection, the patient may get sicker and experience encephalitis. This condition may progress to coma within 24-48 hours,” says Dr Sethi.
While initial symptoms may include fever, headache, cough, sore throat, difficulty breathing, vomiting, severe symptoms caused by encephalitis may follow which may include disorientation, drowsiness, or confusion, seizures, and coma.
Who is most at risk of severe illness from Nipah virus?
People with close exposure are at highest risk: caregivers, healthcare workers, family members of infected patients, and those consuming raw date palm sap. Severe disease is more likely in older adults and people with weaker immunity.
How quickly can symptoms worsen after infection?
“Symptoms can worsen fast. Within a few days, patients may develop confusion, drowsiness, seizures, breathing difficulty, or loss of consciousness. Once the brain is involved, deterioration can be rapid,” Dr. Pradeep Narayan Sahoo, Consultant – Internal Medicine, Manipal Hospital, Bhubaneshwar told Financial Express.com.
How is Nipah virus diagnosed, and how reliable are the tests?
Diagnosis is done using lab tests like RT-PCR on throat swabs, blood, urine, or spinal fluid. These tests are reliable but must be done in specialized, high-security labs, which can delay confirmation, says Dr Sahoo.
Is there any specific treatment or cure for Nipah virus?
“There is no specific antiviral cure. Treatment is supportive—managing breathing, reducing brain swelling, controlling seizures, and intensive care monitoring. Early supportive care can make a real difference,” adds the expert.
What determines whether a patient recovers or develops severe complications like encephalitis?
Dr Sahoo says early detection, speed of medical care, and the person’s immune response matter most. High viral load, delayed treatment, and lung or brain involvement increase the risk of severe complications, as per the expert.
What is the fatality rate, and how does it compare to other viral outbreaks?
Nipah has a fatality rate ranging from 40 to 75 percent, which is far higher than Covid-19, dengue, or seasonal flu. That’s why even small outbreaks are treated very seriously.
What precautions should people in affected or nearby areas take right now?
“Avoid raw date palm sap and partially eaten fruits. Wash fruits thoroughly. Avoid close contact with sick individuals. Use masks in healthcare or caregiving settings. Report fever with neurological symptoms early. And most importantly, don’t panic as early medical attention saves lives,” adds Dr Sahoo.
Disclaimer: The information in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. While the author has incorporated expert medical guidance while producing the story and ensured full authentic information is provided to the reader, you should always seek the advice of a qualified healthcare provider regarding a medical condition or treatment. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read here.