West Bengal has recorded its first fatality linked to the deadly Nipah virus in recent years, as a 25-year-old nurse succumbed to complications after a prolonged battle following infection, prompting renewed public health vigilance across the region and neighbouring countries.
Medical officials in the North 24 Parganas district confirmed that the nurse, who had been treated in a private hospital in Barasat, had originally recovered from the virus but suffered a cardiac arrest and severe complications such as a lung infection and hospital-acquired conditions that ultimately led to her death on February 12, 2026. She had first been admitted in early January and was on ventilator support for weeks as doctors fought to manage her deteriorating condition.
This marks the first Nipah-related death in the state in many years, after two cases of the disease were confirmed earlier this year — both involving healthcare workers. While the male nurse who was infected has since recovered and been discharged, this tragic case highlights the serious health risks associated with the infection, even after the virus itself is no longer detectable in the body.
The Nipah virus is a zoonotic pathogen — one that can spread from animals to humans — with fruit bats commonly considered the natural reservoir. Infection can occur through close contact with infected animals or contaminated food, and transmission between people can happen in healthcare settings, especially when strict infection control measures are not maintained.
Symptoms of Nipah virus infection often start with high fever, headache, muscle pain, and sore throat, progressing in many cases to severe neurological conditions including encephalitis — inflammation of the brain — and respiratory distress that can result in coma and death. Mortality rates for Nipah infections reported in past outbreaks have been high, sometimes exceeding 70 % depending on the strain and the speed of clinical response.
The outbreak in West Bengal earlier this year had prompted health officials to identify and monitor more than 190 contacts of the initial confirmed cases, though subsequent testing showed no additional infections at that time. Experts noted the challenge in early detection because early symptoms can resemble those of common viral illnesses, making vigilance in surveillance and clinical response critical to containment.
Public health authorities have emphasized the importance of stringent infection control practices in hospitals, careful monitoring of contacts and awareness of Nipah’s signs, especially among frontline health workers. Protective measures such as proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE), rapid isolation of suspected cases, and thorough cleaning protocols remain central to preventing further spread in clinical settings.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has continued to monitor Nipah virus activity in the region, characterizing the virus as rare but highly serious due to its potential to cause severe human illness. Although the current risk to the wider population remains low and health agencies do not foresee widespread community transmission at this stage, the confirmation of a fatal case amplifies the urgency of preparedness and rapid response systems.
Neighbouring countries have also taken note: Bangladesh recently confirmed a separate case of Nipah infection, underlining how regional surveillance and cross-border health coordination are vital in tracking the movement of such pathogens and implementing appropriate containment strategies.
There is no specific cure or widely approved vaccine for Nipah virus infection, which means treatment largely focuses on supportive care and managing symptoms as they arise. Health experts continue to stress preventive measures and early detection as the most effective means to combat this lethal virus, particularly in rural and hospital environments where initial spread often begins.
As West Bengal health services ramp up monitoring and public information efforts, authorities have reiterated that vigilance and prompt reporting of symptoms are essential to preventing new cases and protecting communities from future outbreaks.
