Kolkata, 14 January (H.S.) :

Concern has mounted in West Bengal following the detection of Nipah virus infection in two nurses admitted to a private hospital in Barasat, North 24 Parganas. The condition of both nurses remains extremely critical, and they are currently on ventilator support.

Following the development, Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda spoke directly to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and assured all possible assistance from the Centre. The state government has also swung into action, with health authorities closely monitoring the situation. A team of expert doctors from both the state and central health departments has inspected the Barasat hospital and initiated an investigation into how the two nurses contracted the infection and whom they had come in contact with in recent days.

Family members and close contacts of the infected nurses have been placed under monitoring and quarantined as a precautionary measure. The Health Department has intensified contact tracing, identifying individuals who had contact with the nurses, collecting samples, and directing them to remain in isolation.

Confirming the situation on Wednesday morning, a senior state health official said that the Beliaghata Infectious Diseases Hospital in Kolkata has been fully prepared to handle any emergency. The hospital has readied 10 emergency beds and 68 ward beds, along with adequate ventilator facilities. Swapan Samaddar, a member of the hospital’s patient welfare committee, said that meetings have already been held to review preparedness and all necessary arrangements are in place. He urged people not to panic but to exercise caution, advising them to avoid partially eaten fruits, stay away from roadside fruit juice stalls, and wash fruits thoroughly with warm water before consumption.

Sources said the two infected nurses had travelled to Katwa in Purba Bardhaman district a few days ago. Authorities are compiling a list of people they came in contact with during the visit. So far, 48 individuals have been identified and are being closely monitored. A special team has been constituted by the Health Department to oversee the situation, and standard operating procedures are being put in place. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is personally monitoring the developments.

The state government has appealed to the public to remain alert without spreading unnecessary panic. A helpline number has also been issued for public assistance.------

How Nipah Virus Spreads

According to medical experts, fruit bats are the primary carriers of the Nipah virus. The virus can spread through fruits partially eaten by bats and, in some cases, through contact with items used by infected individuals. Public health experts noted that initial symptoms are often non-specific, including fever, breathing difficulty, headache, gastrointestinal distress, weakness and loss of appetite. Anyone experiencing such symptoms is advised to seek medical attention immediately.

Experts cautioned that while the Nipah virus does not spread rapidly, its fatality rate is high, ranging between 40 and 75 percent. They stressed the importance of frequent handwashing with soap, thoroughly cleaning fruits and vegetables before consumption, and avoiding partially eaten fruits and fresh fruit juices from unreliable sources.

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh