Odisha on alert after suspected Nipah virus cases reported in West Bengal

Odisha was placed on alert on Wednesday following the reports of suspected Nipah virus infections in neighbouring West Bengal, triggering deep concerns over possible spread due to frequent movement of people between the two states.

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According to sources, two nurses working at a private hospital in the North 24 Parganas district of West Bengal have shown symptoms consistent with Nipah virus infection. Preliminary medical reports have indicated that the symptoms match those associated with the virus. Their samples have been sent to AIIMS for confirmation.

Although no Nipah virus cases have been detected in Odisha so far, the situation in West Bengal has heightened concerns as people travel daily between West Bengal and Odisha. In response, health authorities have intensified monitoring and preparedness measures.

To contain the suspected outbreak in West Bengal, a national-level joint infection response team has been constituted. Health officials have also reiterated that the Nipah virus can spread from animals, contaminated food, or through direct human-to-human transmission.

The virus is known to spread through contact with infected saliva, urine, blood and excreta. Symptoms include fever, headache, sore throat, diarrhoea, vomiting, muscle pain and even breathing difficulties. In severe cases, patients may slip into a coma.

Health experts have advised people to maintain proper hand hygiene and avoid contact with infected pigs and bats to reduce the risk of infection.

Health authorities are treating the development as a top priority due to the severity of Nipah virus disease. The infection is a zoonotic illness known for its high fatality rate and ability to spread quickly, a senior official from the Health Department stated.

What is the Nipah virus?

The Nipah virus gets its name from Kampung Sungai Nipah, a village in Malaysia where it was first identified during an outbreak in 1998–99. The World Health Organisation (WHO) explains that Nipah is a zoonotic infection, meaning it can pass from animals to humans.

It belongs to the Henipavirus genus under the Paramyxovirinae subfamily. Fruit bats from the Pteropodidae family serve as the virus’s natural reservoir, while pigs may function as intermediary hosts.

Signs and symptoms of Nipah

Early symptoms of Nipah infection often resemble flu-like illness, such as fever, body aches, sore throat, and breathing difficulties. As the disease progresses, serious complications can arise, including respiratory failure, seizures, confusion, and brain inflammation. In some instances, encephalitis may develop later.

There are also cases where individuals remain symptom-free yet carry the deadly Nipah virus without showing any visible signs.