India has recorded its second fatality this year from the deadly Nipah virus, with health authorities in the eastern state of West Bengal intensifying containment and contact-tracing measures to prevent further spread.

A 25-year-old nurse died at a hospital in the Kolkata area after battling the infection for nearly a month. She was among two healthcare workers who tested positive in early January during a localized outbreak. The second patient, a male nurse, recovered after treatment and has been discharged.

According to a report by Caliber.Az citing foreign media, the nurse’s health worsened rapidly despite brief signs of improvement. Though her initial test returned negative, she later developed acute lung damage and other complications consistent with Nipah infection. Hospital sources said she ultimately suffered cardiac arrest.

The outbreak, first detected in and around Kolkata in January, has so far resulted in five confirmed cases. State health officials said nearly 100 close contacts have been placed under strict medical observation and quarantine as a precautionary measure.

Nipah virus is a zoonotic disease, transmitted from animals to humans, and is regarded as one of the world’s most dangerous emerging pathogens due to its high fatality rate, which can reach up to 75 percent. The incubation period typically ranges from five to 14 days. Initial symptoms include high fever and severe headache, but in serious cases, patients may develop encephalitis, seizures and coma within 24 to 48 hours.

There is currently no approved vaccine or targeted antiviral treatment for Nipah infection. Medical management is limited to supportive care aimed at relieving symptoms and preventing complications.

The latest death comes amid broader regional concerns, after the World Health Organization confirmed a Nipah-related fatality earlier this year in northern Bangladesh, raising alarms about cross-border public health risks in South Asia.

BOB Post