Nurse Succumbs to Nipah Virus Infection: Deadly Symptoms and Human Transmission Risk Explained

A nurse who was being treated for Nipah virus infection in West Bengal has died, raising fresh concerns about human transmission risk, deadly symptoms, and outbreak preparedness. The 25-year-old had been on life support with ventilator assistance since the second week of January at a private hospital in Barasat. This marks the first recorded death from the deadly virus in the state. Health authorities say they are closely monitoring contacts, as Nipah virus infection is known for its high fatality rate and potential to spread through close human contact. She and another male nurse had tested positive for Nipah infection. When both of their conditions worsened, they were placed on ventilator support, but while the male nurse made a recovery and was discharged,

she continued to suffer.

What is the Nipah virus?

Nipah virus, also known as NiV, is a zoonotic virus, meaning it spreads from animals to humans. It was first identified during an outbreak in Malaysia in 1998. Fruit bats of the Pteropus species — commonly known as flying foxes — are natural carriers of the virus. Outbreaks have since been reported in South and Southeast Asia, particularly in India and Bangladesh. The virus can spread to humans through:

• Direct contact with infected bats or pigs
• Consumption of contaminated food, such as raw date palm sap
• Close contact with an infected person’s bodily fluids

Healthcare workers, including nurses, are particularly vulnerable when infection prevention protocols are not strictly followed.

Signs and symptoms of the Nipah virus to watch out for

Nipah virus infection ranges from mild illness to severe, life-threatening disease. Symptoms typically appear 4 to 14 days after exposure and may include:

• High fever
• Severe headache
• Muscle pain
• Vomiting and sore throat
• Dizziness and drowsiness
• In severe cases, the virus can rapidly progress to:
• Acute respiratory distress
• Encephalitis or brain inflammation
• Seizures
• Altered consciousness or coma

The mortality rate of Nipah virus outbreaks has ranged from 40 to 75 per cent, depending on the outbreak and access to medical care. Survivors may experience long-term neurological complications.Also read: Bijou Phillips on Dialysis: What Kidney Failure Means and Why a Transplant Is Critical

Human-to-human transmission risk

One of the most concerning aspects of the Nipah virus is its ability to spread between people. Human-to-human transmission has been documented, especially among family members and healthcare workers caring for infected patients. Transmission can occur through:

• Respiratory droplets
• Direct contact with blood or body fluids
• Contaminated medical equipment

This makes strict infection control measures - including personal protective equipment, patient isolation, and contact tracing -essential during outbreaks. At present, there is no specific antiviral treatment or approved vaccine for Nipah virus infection. Medical care focuses on supportive treatment, including managing breathing difficulties and neurological complications. Several vaccine candidates are under development, but none are widely available yet. Health officials emphasize early detection, rapid isolation, and community awareness to prevent wider outbreaks. People are advised to avoid consuming raw palm sap in affected areas and to report symptoms promptly if exposed.