Nipah virus scare returns, 2 cases found in West Bengal; Nadda calls Mamata Banerjee; helpline numbers released

Kolkata (The Uttam Hindu): Panic has resurfaced in West Bengal after two suspected cases of the Nipah virus were reported. Both cases involve nurses working at the same hospital in Barasat, North 24 Parganas district. One is a female nurse and the other is male. Following the development, the state health department has been put on high alert.

Union Health Minister JP Nadda spoke to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee over the phone to review the situation and assess the preparedness of the state. As a precautionary measure, the West Bengal government has also issued two helpline numbers for the public.

According to senior officials, samples of both nurses have been sent to AIIMS Kalyani for testing, where preliminary findings have indicated possible Nipah virus infection. The female nurse is a resident of Nadia district, while the male nurse belongs to the Katwa area of East Burdwan district. Both have been admitted to an isolated ward in the same hospital where they work and are currently on life support due to their critical condition.

Health department sources said the female nurse had recently returned from her hometown Katwa, where she first fell ill. She was initially admitted to a local hospital on December 31, but was later shifted to Burdwan Medical College as her condition worsened. From there, she was transferred to the Barasat hospital in a special ambulance. Similar symptoms were later observed in the male nurse, after which he was also placed on ventilator support.

In view of the growing concern over Nipah virus, the state government has urged people to remain alert. Anyone experiencing symptoms related to Nipah virus can seek assistance by calling the helpline numbers 03323330180 and 9874708858.