West Bengal has earned high marks from India’s top medical research body for its handling of a Nipah virus scare. ICMR chief Dr. Rajiv Bahal praised the state’s rapid response during a Saturday visit to Kalyani’s ICMR-NIBMG facility, where he honored late Dr. Dilip Mahalanabis with a statue unveiling.
The outbreak involved two infected nurses in Barasat, one of whom tragically died. Yet, aggressive contact tracing and testing revealed no further spread—a clear win for vigilance.
‘No cause for alarm,’ Dr. Bahal assured, pointing to historical precedents. Nipah surfaced in West Bengal twice before and in Kerala, but cases stayed contained thanks to early action.
He spotlighted the state’s collaboration with central authorities, calling their monitoring proactive and exemplary. Bats harboring the virus in multiple states highlight the perpetual risk, demanding constant watch.
Nipah, a deadly pathogen jumping from fruit bats to humans via direct contact or contaminated food, has sporadically challenged India. West Bengal’s success story reinforces that preparedness pays off.
Health officials confirmed all traced contacts tested negative, with no fresh infections reported. This calm handling contrasts sharply with past panics, showcasing matured response mechanisms.
Dr. Bahal’s visit and words boost confidence amid rising concerns over zoonotic diseases. As climate and habitat changes potentially amplify such threats, stories like Bengal’s offer hope and a roadmap for the nation.