The National Centre for Disease Control has clarified that only two confirmed cases of Nipah Virus disease have been reported in West Bengal from December last year to date. The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare issued the clarification after speculative and incorrect figures regarding the Nipah Virus disease were circulated in certain sections of the media.

The Ministry said, after confirmation of these two cases, the Government initiated prompt and comprehensive public health measures in accordance with established protocols. It added that 196 contacts linked to the confirmed cases were then identified, traced, monitored, and tested. On testing, all the contacts tested negative for Nipah Virus.

The Ministry further said that no additional Nipah Virus Disease cases have been detected so far. It said the situation is under constant monitoring and that all necessary public health measures are in place. The Ministry also advised the public and the media to rely only on verified information released by official sources and to refrain from spreading unverified or speculative reports.