Health authorities in West Bengal have raised an alert after two suspected cases of the deadly Nipah virus were detected in Barasat, located in the North 24 Parganas district. The patients, a male nurse and a female nurse employed at the same private hospital, are reported to be in critical condition and are currently on ventilator support.
The two had recently travelled to East Midnapore and East Burdwan in December before falling ill. Officials have confirmed that their samples have been sent to the National Institute of Virology in Pune for laboratory confirmation, while precautionary containment measures have already been put in place.
State authorities have begun intensive contact tracing across the districts where the two nurses travelled. Several individuals who came in close contact with them have been identified and instructed to remain in home isolation under medical monitoring. The health department has said that testing facilities and surveillance systems are fully operational to manage the situation.
Nipah virus is a highly lethal zoonotic disease that is commonly found in fruit bats. Humans and animals can become infected through exposure to bat saliva or urine, or contaminated food. The virus has a fatality rate of approximately 70 per cent, making early detection and isolation crucial.
The Union health ministry has assured the West Bengal government of full technical and logistical support. A National Joint Outbreak Response Team has been deployed, and standard containment protocols have been activated to prevent any possible spread.
Officials said Centre&ndash;State coordination is ongoing to ensure the suspected outbreak is contained swiftly and effectively.

Two nurses on ventilator as Nipah alert triggers emergency response

Two Suspected Nipah Cases Detected in Bengal

Two nurses on ventilator as Nipah alert triggers emergency response

January 13, 2026 | 11:45 IST