Key Points:
Nurse in Barasat dies after Nipah infection complications
Cardiac arrest occurred after apparent recovery phase
Second infected healthcare worker still under treatment
196 contacts traced and all tested negative
No new Nipah cases detected in West Bengal
A nurse who had contracted the Nipah virus died on Thursday at a private hospital in Barasat, North 24-Parganas district of West Bengal, health officials confirmed. Authorities said the woman had recovered from the infection but later developed severe complications and ultimately succumbed to cardiac arrest.
The death comes weeks after two Nipah cases were reported in the state. The second infected healthcare worker remains under medical supervision, while officials say there is no evidence of further spread so far.
The deceased nurse, a resident of Katwa in Purba Bardhaman district, first fell ill in early January after returning home on December 31 for New Year holidays. She was initially admitted to Burdwan Medical College and Hospital and later shifted to a private hospital in Barasat.
Doctors kept her in critical care for a prolonged period. She went into a coma, which weakened her immunity, and she later developed lung and hospital acquired infections.
She was taken off ventilator support at the end of January and had started trying to regain consciousness, move her limbs and speak. However, her condition suddenly deteriorated and she died around 4:20 pm due to cardiac arrest, officials said.
Authorities confirmed two Nipah infections were detected in West Bengal in January. One nurse died, while another healthcare worker who tested positive remains admitted and under close medical observation.
A male nurse infected in the same cluster has already recovered, according to health department data cited by officials.
Following detection of the cases, central and state health agencies launched surveillance and containment protocols.
196 contacts were identified, traced, monitored and tested
All tested negative and remained asymptomatic
Authorities reported no new Nipah cases in the state
These coordinated measures helped contain the infection, officials said, urging the public not to rely on speculative reports circulating in media.
Nipah virus is a zoonotic disease primarily carried by fruit bats. Humans can get infected through contaminated fruits or via animals such as pigs, and it can also spread from person to person through close contact or contaminated items.
Early signs resemble a viral fever and include:
Fever and headache
Vomiting and sore throat
Rapid breathing distress
As the disease progresses, it can affect the brain, causing seizures and coma within 24 to 48 hours in severe cases.
The infection has a high fatality rate of 50 to 60 percent. There is currently no specific treatment or approved vaccine, and patients receive supportive care based on symptoms.
The Centre and West Bengal government continue monitoring the situation through enhanced surveillance and laboratory testing.
Reference:
World Health Organization. “Nipah Virus.” Last modified January 29, 2026.
https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/nipah-virus
(Rh/ARC)