Translated with AI
An outbreak of the Nipah virus, for which there is no vaccine or specific treatment, has been reported in India, The Economic Times reports.
According to authorities, five cases of the virus have been reported in the state of West Bengal, three of which were identified this week. Among the victims were a doctor, a nurse, and a healthcare worker.
Two nurses working at a private hospital near Kolkata were infected immediately after the New Year. Both developed high fevers and respiratory problems, and one of them fell into a coma. They were presumably infected while treating a patient who died before testing was completed.
Indian authorities have quarantined about 100 people who came into contact with the infected to prevent further spread of the virus.
The Nipah virus is classified as a high-risk pathogen by the World Health Organization (WHO). The fatality rate for infection reaches 40–70%, as the virus causes cerebral edema. Human transmission is rare; infection most often occurs through contact with bats or consumption of contaminated fruit.
Symptoms include high fever, headaches, muscle aches, and fatigue. In some cases, coughing, shortness of breath, and pneumonia may also occur.
Nipah virus outbreaks have previously been reported in India. In 2023, the disease was reported in the state of Kerala, where two patients died from the infection in 2024.
