Nipah virus outbreak: 100 people quarantined in West Bengal to contain deadly zoonotic virus with high fatality. Check how it spreads, signs, symptoms and treatment

Nipah virus outbreak: The health authorities in West Bengal have rushed to contain a Nipah virus outbreak after five cases were reported and nearly 100 people quarantined, reports The Independent. The condition of two nurses, who tested positive for the Nipah virus in Kolkata, remain critical, a senior health department official told news agency PTI. The confirmed cases of Nipah virus include two nurses, a doctor, and a health staff member, with some patients in critical condition and others showing improvement. "The health condition of both of them remains extremely critical. They are still in a coma and admitted to the ICCU," the official of the health department told PTI.

The nurses were working at a private hospital in Barasat in Kolkata. Deadly and initially silent, the Nipah virus spreads rapidly and carries a high mortality rate. The West Bengal government has also sent around 100 people into home quarantine since the first confirmed cases on Monday, as per an IANS report. Of these, around 30 are being closely monitored.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), Nipah virus is classified as a priority pathogen owing to its epidemic potential. There are no vaccines or treatment for Nipah virus. Nipah virus infection in humans causes a range of clinical presentations, from asymptomatic infection (subclinical) to acute respiratory infection and fatal encephalitis, says WHO.


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What is Nipah virus and why it demands early detection?

Nipah virus can be transmitted to humans from animals (such as bats or pigs), or contaminated foods and can also be transmitted directly from human-to-human. The WHO says there is no treatment or vaccine available for either people or animals. The primary treatment for humans is supportive care. The highly dangerous zoonotic infection has repeatedly emerged in South Asia and South and Southeast Asia and at present, the outbreak has been reported in West Bengal.

A member of the Henipavirus genus, Nipah virus is mainly carried by fruit bats of the Pteropus species, creating a constant risk of spillover to humans through contaminated food or direct contact. With no approved vaccine or specific antiviral treatment available, and fatality rates in past outbreaks ranging between 40% and 75%, Nipah remains a serious public health threat wherever it emerges. Nipah virus was first recognized in 1999 during an outbreak among pig farmers in, Malaysia.

The health experts in India, which has been battling the Nipah virus contagion every year now, have cautioned against the zoonotic nature of the viral infection. “This is more likely in rural and forest-adjacent areas where agricultural practices increase contact between humans and fruit bats searching for food,” Rajeev Jayadevan, the ex-president of Indian Medical Association, Cochin said.

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Nipah virus: Signs and symptoms

Human infections range from asymptomatic to acute respiratory infection (mild to severe) and fatal encephalitis.

Early symptoms (initially):

Fever

Headache

Myalgia (muscle pain)

Vomiting

Sore throat

Progression may include:

Dizziness

Drowsiness

Altered consciousness

Neurological signs indicating acute encephalitis

Some patients may develop:

Atypical pneumonia

Severe respiratory issues, including acute respiratory distress

Severe cases can lead to:

Encephalitis

Seizures

Coma within 24–48 hours

Incubation period:

Usually 4–14 days

In rare cases, up to 45 days

Recovery and long-term effects:

Most survivors of acute encephalitis recover fully

Long-term neurological issues reported in survivors

About 20% experience residual effects such as:

Seizure disorders

Personality changes

A small number may relapse or develop delayed encephalitis

Case fatality rate:

Estimated at 40% to 75%

Varies by outbreak depending on local surveillance and clinical management capacity

Nipah virus treatment

There are currently no drugs or vaccines specific for Nipah virus infection although WHO has identified Nipah as a priority disease for the WHO Research and Development Blueprint. Intensive supportive care is recommended to treat severe respiratory and neurologic complications. In the absence of a vaccine, the only way to reduce or prevent infection in people is by raising awareness of the risk factors and educating people about the measures they can take to reduce exposure to the Nipah virus.

The West Bengal government has issued guidelines for the treatment of suspected and confirmed cases of Nipah virus infection. It stressed early detection, strict isolation and protocol-based clinical management to prevent transmission and fatalities.

According to the guidelines, all suspected Nipah cases must be immediately isolated and managed in designated healthcare facilities with stringent infection prevention and control measures. Healthcare workers attending to such patients have been advised to adhere to standard, contact and droplet precautions, with emphasis on the use of appropriate personal protective equipment.

(With PTI inputs)