Nurse Recovers From Nipah, Then Tragically Dies in Bengal’s Barasat
A 25-year-old nurse tragically passed away following recovery from a Nipah virus infection at a private hospital in Barasat, West Bengal. Her death occurred due to cardiac arrest, as confirmed by a senior official from the state health department.
Nurse’s Illness and Hospitalization
The young nurse was originally from Katwa in Purba Bardhaman district. She began experiencing symptoms of the Nipah virus in early January. This followed her return home on December 31 for the New Year holidays.
Initially treated at Burdwan Medical College and Hospital, her condition deteriorated, leading to her transfer to a private hospital in Barasat.
Details of the Nipah Virus Cases
Shortly after her symptoms appeared, another male colleague also showed similar signs of illness. Testing on January 11 confirmed both nurses were infected with the Nipah virus. Both patients fell into comas and required ventilator support during their treatment.
While the male nurse improved and was discharged approximately a week ago, the 25-year-old’s condition remained critical.
Health Department and WHO Response
- The state health department reported her death on Thursday.
- Officials stated, “One of the nurses who was critically ill passed away today due to cardiac arrest.”
- As of now, there are no active Nipah cases reported in West Bengal.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has stated that the risk of broader transmission of the Nipah virus is low. Addressing concerns, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus noted that recent cases, two in India and one in Bangladesh, have been monitored closely without indication of a larger outbreak.
Conclusion
The recent incident in Barasat underscores the seriousness of the Nipah virus outbreak and its potential impact on healthcare professionals. While one nurse suffered a tragic fate, the overall risk of wider transmission remains low, according to health authorities.
