Two Nurses in West Bengal Test Positive for Nipah Virus; Contacts Quarantined

Two nurses at a private hospital in Barasat, West Bengal, have tested positive for the Nipah virus and remain in critical condition on ventilator support. The National Institute of Virology in Pune confirmed the infection after initial positive tests at AIIMS Kalyani. Extensive contact tracing has identified around 90-120 individuals, including healthcare workers and family members, who are under home quarantine and observation. Authorities are monitoring the situation closely, administering antiviral treatments like remdesivir, and urging caution without panic. The source of infection is under investigation, with possible links to a village near the India-Bangladesh border where exposure to contaminated date palm sap is suspected.