A nurse who had recovered from Nipah virus infection passed away due to cardiac arrest at a private hospital in Barasat, West Bengal, a state health department official confirmed on Thursday (Feb 12).
Although she had tested negative for Nipah, the nurse had remained in a prolonged coma that severely weakened her immunity. She later developed a lung infection along with other complications. She had been taken off ventilator support at the end of January. “She died of cardiac arrest this afternoon. Though she had recovered from Nipah, she was suffering from multiple complications,” the official said.
According to the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), two confirmed cases of Nipah Virus Disease have been reported in West Bengal since December. The other patient, a male nurse, has recovered fully.
The deceased, a resident of Katwa in Purba Bardhaman district, had also contracted a hospital-acquired infection during her treatment. Officials said she had been attempting to regain consciousness, move her limbs, and speak before her condition suddenly deteriorated. She died at around 4:20 pm.
She had first fallen ill in early January after returning home on December 31 for New Year holidays. Initially admitted to Burdwan Medical College and Hospital, she was later shifted to a private hospital in Barasat for advanced care.
In a statement, the Union Health Ministry said that of the two Nipah-positive cases reported from West Bengal on January 11, 2026, one critically ill nurse under intensive medical care died due to cardiac arrest.
The ministry had earlier cautioned against speculative and incorrect reporting of Nipah Virus Disease cases in certain sections of the media. It stated that following confirmation of the two cases, the Centre worked closely with the West Bengal government to implement comprehensive public health measures as per established protocols.
A total of 196 contacts linked to the confirmed cases were identified, traced, monitored and tested. All were asymptomatic and tested negative. Enhanced surveillance, laboratory testing, and field investigations were undertaken through coordinated efforts of central and state health authorities to ensure timely containment of the cases, the ministry added.