‘Do not circulate unverified reports on Nipah cases’
Times of India | 29 January 2026
Kolkata: The health ministry advised the public not to spread unverified or speculative reports on the Bengal Nipah cases after some media and social media incorrectly reported five confirmed Nipah cases in the state, whereas only two cases were found so far.
"It was observed that speculative and incorrect figures regarding the Nipah cases were circulated in certain sections of the media. In this context, it is clarified that, according to the reports received from the National Centre for Disease Control, only two confirmed cases of Nipah virus were reported from West Bengal," said the statement from the health ministry.
The two cases, a male and a female nurse, were confirmed with the infection by NIV Pune on Jan 13. In fact, the male nurse is already Nipah-free, as he tested negative in two consecutive tests.
"The misinformation about the number of cases is causing unnecessary confusion and reaction. The number of confirmed positive cases is only two," said infectious diseases associate professor Yogiraj Ray, part of the state's expert team.
"Following confirmation of these two cases, the govt of India, in close coordination with the state govt, initiated prompt and comprehensive public health measures in accordance with established protocols. Enhanced surveillance, laboratory testing, and field investigations were undertaken, which ensured timely containment of the cases," said the health ministry statement, adding that a total of 196 contacts tested negative.
"All containment measures could be rolled out immediately due to the alertness of the AIIMS Kalyani team, who informed that these two cases could be Nipah infection. The infection did not spread beyond the two nurses," said a state health department official.
Meanwhile, plans are on to shift the male nurse from the ICU isolation ward to a segregated room in the Barasat hospital, where he would be kept under observation for a few more days before being discharged. The condition of the female nurse, however, continues to be critical.