The central government has swiftly deployed a high-level, multi-disciplinary team to West Bengal after two suspected cases of the deadly Nipah virus were identified at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Kalyani. This move underscores the serious national concern over the zoonotic pathogen known for its high mortality rate.
National Experts Mobilised for Containment
According to officials familiar with the development, the National Joint Outbreak Response Team has been activated. This team comprises specialists from premier institutions, including the National Institute of Virology (NIV) in Pune, the National Institute of Epidemiology (NIE), and experts from the wildlife division under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. Their mandate is to assist the state government in strengthening containment efforts and public health response measures on the ground.
Given the virus's severe nature, which can spread from animals like fruit bats to humans and cause fatal encephalitis and severe respiratory illness, authorities have adopted a multi-pronged strategy. This includes enhanced laboratory testing for rapid confirmation, intensive surveillance through rigorous contact tracing, and the implementation of specialised infection prevention and control protocols in healthcare settings.
Central and State Coordination in High Gear
The Union Ministry of Health & Family Welfare is maintaining a 24-hour vigil over the evolving situation. Union Health Secretary Punya Salila Srivastava is in constant touch with the West Bengal Chief Secretary and the Principal Secretary (Health) to ensure seamless technical and logistical support. Furthermore, Union Health Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda has spoken to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, assuring her of the Centre's full support.
In Delhi, the Public Health Emergency Operations Centre (PHEOC) has been activated to monitor the situation nationally. Specific Nipah containment guidelines have already been issued to the state's surveillance unit to guide local action.
Recurring Threat Underlines Need for Vigilance
West Bengal is not unfamiliar with the Nipah virus, having reported outbreaks in Siliguri in 2001 and Nadia in 2007. After a lull, the virus resurfaced with devastating effect in Kerala in 2018, recording a staggering fatality rate of approximately 91%. Kerala has since reported several clusters, including in 2019, 2021, 2023, and as recently as early 2025.
The suspected cases in Bengal have put the national health system on heightened alert, especially in the absence of a vaccine. Currently, India relies on imported monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) from Australia for treatment. The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) is actively exploring partnerships with domestic pharmaceutical firms to manufacture these life-saving proteins locally to ensure self-reliance.
The recurring outbreaks highlight the persistent threat posed by the Nipah virus and underscore the critical importance of robust surveillance, rapid response, and local vigilance across all states to prevent a wider public health crisis.
