The World Health Organization has escalated its containment operations in India’s West Bengal region following confirmation of Nipah virus infections in two healthcare professionals. This zoonotic pathogen, recognized for its high mortality rate ranging between 40-75%, transmits through bat reservoirs, contaminated food sources, and direct human-to-human contact.
In coordination with Indian health authorities, WHO has implemented reinforced surveillance protocols and contact tracing mechanisms. Comprehensive testing of 190 identified contacts has yielded negative results, providing cautious optimism regarding containment progress.
The international health agency has deployed mobile diagnostic laboratories and adopted an integrated One Health strategy, combining expertise from human medicine, veterinary science, and environmental health sectors. This multidisciplinary approach addresses the complex transmission ecology of the virus.
Current risk assessment classifies the outbreak as moderate within the affected region. WHO explicitly advises against implementing travel or trade restrictions based on available epidemiological data. Nonetheless, several Asian nations have preemptively enhanced airport screening procedures in response to the outbreak.