The Centre has deployed a National Joint Outbreak Response Team to assist the State for effective containment after two suspected cases of Nipah virus were identified in West Bengal. These suspected cases were identified on Sunday at the Virus Research and Diagnostic Laboratory of the Indian Council of Medical Research in AIIMS Kalyani.

The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has shared a video in which Union Health Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda said the Central government firmly stands with the State government, and it is providing comprehensive technical, logistical and operational support to the State Government for the effective management and prevention of the outbreak. He added that upon receipt of information, the Secretary, Health and Family Welfare, immediately held discussions with the Chief Secretary and Principal Secretary, Health of West Bengal, to review the situation.

Mr Nadda said he had also spoken to the West Bengal Chief Minister, Mamata Banerjee and emphasised for Centre- State co-ordination in this direction.

Meanwhile, our Kolkata Correspondent reports the West Bengal government has implemented comprehensive precautionary measures to contain the spread of the virus, including two healthcare workers at a private hospital in Barasat, North 24 Parganas. State’s Chief Secretary, Nandini Chakraborty, convened an emergency meeting at Nabanna with the state’s Health Secretary and other senior officials to review the situation.

Briefing the press, she confirmed that both patients are currently undergoing treatment, with a specialized medical team monitoring their condition. Preliminary investigations suggest the individuals contracted the virus during a work-related visit to Purba Bardhaman. Consequently, surveillance has been intensified across Purba Bardhaman, North 24 Parganas, and Nadia districts, while authorities are actively tracing high-risk contacts.

To assist citizens, the State government has launched two helpline numbers: 033 2333-0180 and 9874708858.