The Jharkhand Health Department has issued a fresh advisory asking all district civil surgeons to enhance surveillance and preparedness against the Nipah virus following two confirmed cases reported in neighbouring West Bengal, officials said on Friday (16 Jan).
Although no Nipah infection has been detected in Jharkhand so far, authorities warned that the movement of people from affected areas could increase the risk of transmission. Additional Chief Secretary (Health) Ajoy Kumar said the department has emphasised continuous and close monitoring due to the virus’s highly contagious nature and high fatality rate.
Nipah is a zoonotic infection that is mainly transmitted from bats to humans and animals. It can spread through fruits or raw date palm sap contaminated by bat saliva or urine, as well as through close contact with infected persons or exposure to their bodily fluids.
The advisory highlighted common symptoms, including high fever, headache, dizziness, cough, breathing difficulties, sore throat, altered mental status, and serious neurological conditions such as seizures and coma.
District authorities have been instructed to strengthen screening and surveillance, especially for people travelling from Nipah-affected regions. All suspected cases must be immediately reported to the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP). Patients with severe symptoms or respiratory distress are to be isolated at once and referred for specialised treatment.
The department has also directed all healthcare facilities to strictly follow infection prevention and control (IPC) protocols. Members of the public have been advised not to consume fallen fruits, raw date palm sap or toddy, to avoid unnecessary close contact, and to seek medical help promptly if symptoms develop.
Meanwhile, Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) has readied 22 beds in an isolation ward as a precautionary measure. The health department had earlier issued an alert and guidelines on January 13 to boost surveillance and public awareness.
Nipah virus is a notifiable disease with a high mortality rate and the potential for rapid spread, making immediate reporting to the Central government mandatory.