Health authorities in India are scrambling to contain an outbreak of deadly diseases Nipah virus after two confirmed cases in West Bengal.
The cases, each involving nurses at a private hospital, have sparked nationwide alarm and urgent contact tracing efforts.
Outbreak details: Two nurses infected, one critical
The two infected nurses worked at the Narayana Multispeciality Hospital in Barasat, West Bengal, and developed symptoms between December 31 and January 2.
A nurse is now in a coma and in critical condition. Initial investigations indicate that they became infected with the virus while treating a patient with severe respiratory symptoms who later died.
Current answer: Health authorities have tested 180 contacts and placed 20 high-risk people under a 21-day quarantine.
All are currently asymptomatic. India’s health ministry has issued a nationwide alert asking all states to step up surveillance.
How the virus spreads
Nipah virus is a bat-borne pathogen that can be transmitted to humans through contaminated food or contact with bodily fluids from infected animals.
It can also be transmitted from person to person through respiratory droplets and saliva, especially in healthcare settings. The virus has a fatality rate of up to 75%.
National alert: States increase surveillance
In response, several Indian states have ordered health authorities to step up surveillance for acute encephalitis syndrome (AES), a brain inflammation that can indicate Nipah infection.
Tamil Nadu issued an advisory calling for close monitoring of AES patients with travel history to West Bengal.
A significant hurdle to containment Nipah virus is an accurate and timely diagnosis.
Health experts warn that cases are often missed or misdiagnosed as acute encephalitis syndrome (AES) or common respiratory illnesses.
This delay in diagnosis creates a significant gap that allows the virus to spread undetected, particularly in high-risk settings such as hospitals.
“If cases are not detected early, health care workers are at the highest risk of exposure to this often deadly virus.”
stressed Ali Althaf, a senior health official in Kerala. To address this issue, authorities are working to expand testing protocols and raise awareness among doctors to ensure suspected cases are promptly identified.
Medical basics for infection control:
Sources:
This report is based on official statements from Indian health authorities and expert analysis.
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