Another Nipah virus tragedy has been reported in West Bengal, eastern India. A 25-year-old female nurse died after contracting the Nipah virus, becoming the region’s first fatality in the current outbreak. Senior provincial government officials confirmed on the 12th that the deceased died due to sudden cardiac arrest.
According to reports, the nurse was diagnosed with Nipah virus in December 2025 and was one of two confirmed cases in West Bengal. She had been receiving treatment at a local hospital, with her condition once being critical. Provincial Health Secretary Nigam stated that, although the patient had shown signs of improvement and at one point no longer required a ventilator, her condition eventually deteriorated due to multiple complications, and she passed away on the afternoon of the 12th.
Sporadic Cases Repeatedly Appear in South Asia
The WHO noted that the current risk of further spread of Nipah virus remains low; however, Bangladesh recorded one death from the virus this January, indicating a continuing risk of outbreaks in the region.
Experts remind that, while the overall global risk remains low, South Asia needs to continuously monitor the development of the epidemic and strengthen public health prevention and control measures.