Nipah Virus Testing: Bats at Kolkata Alipore Zoo Examined
- An expert team will visit Nadia district, West Bengal, on Saturday to collect bat samples as part of the ongoing statewide Nipah virus surveillance exercise, according to a...
- The West Bengal Health and Family Welfare Department is conducting a statewide surveillance exercise for Nipah virus, a zoonotic virus that can cause severe respiratory illness and encephalitis.This...
- Nipah virus is transmitted to humans from animals, such as bats, and can also spread through direct contact with infected people.
An expert team will visit Nadia district, West Bengal, on Saturday to collect bat samples as part of the ongoing statewide Nipah virus surveillance exercise, according to a news agency feed.
West Bengal Health and Family Welfare Department and Nipah Virus
The West Bengal Health and Family Welfare Department is conducting a statewide surveillance exercise for Nipah virus, a zoonotic virus that can cause severe respiratory illness and encephalitis.This proactive measure aims to detect the virus early and prevent potential outbreaks.
Nipah virus is transmitted to humans from animals, such as bats, and can also spread through direct contact with infected people. Symptoms include fever, headache, muscle pain, vomiting, and in severe cases, encephalitis and coma.
As of January 25, 2026, there have been no confirmed cases of nipah virus reported in West Bengal during this surveillance period, but the state government is taking precautionary measures.
National Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP) and Nipah Virus
The Nipah virus surveillance in West Bengal is being conducted under the umbrella of the National Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP), a nationwide initiative to strengthen disease surveillance in India. The IDSP provides technical and logistical support to state governments for disease detection and response.
The IDSP was launched in 2004 and aims to detect and respond to disease outbreaks in a timely and effective manner. It collects, analyzes, and disseminates data on various diseases, including Nipah virus, to inform public health interventions.
in 2018, an outbreak of Nipah virus in Kerala, India, resulted in 21 deaths and highlighted the importance of robust surveillance and rapid response systems. The World Health Institution (WHO) provides guidance and support to countries affected by Nipah virus.
Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and Bat Sample Collection
The collection of bat samples in Nadia district is a crucial component of the surveillance exercise. The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has identified fruit bats of the Pteropus genus as the natural reservoir for Nipah virus.
Researchers analyze the bat samples to detect the presence of the Nipah virus and monitor its genetic evolution. This details helps to understand the risk of transmission to humans and develop effective control measures.
The ICMR-National Institute of Virology (NIV) in Pune is the primary laboratory responsible for confirming Nipah virus infections in India.On December 20, 2023, the ICMR-NIV developed a real-time PCR assay for rapid detection of the nipah virus. PIB Press Release