Kolkata: Concerns regarding Nipah Virus are continuously increasing in Kolkata, West Bengal. Two more suspected patients from Barasat area have been admitted to Beleghata ID Hospital. Doctors say that both the patients had recently come in contact with people infected with Nipah virus, due to which they are suspected of getting this infection. These patients are being continuously monitored in the hospital.
Meanwhile, it is a matter of relief that the test reports of 5 health workers who came in contact with the infected people have come negative. Despite this, the health department does not want to take any risk. CMOH of Nadia district has so far sent a total of 45 samples to AIIMS Kalyani, whose report is awaited. Two nurses from Nadia district were found infected and their condition still remains critical. A nurse is in a deep coma. The second nurse has been put on ventilation support. Doctors suspect that she got infected after attending a family function in Kaliganj, Nadia. Additionally, the second nurse probably got infected while performing night duty for two days at Barasat Hospital along with the first infected nurse.
A special team of the Health Department is reaching Kaliganj today for investigation so that the source of infection and the spread of the virus can be understood. The biggest concern is that there is no vaccine or sure cure for Nipah virus yet. Dr. Jaidev Rai explains, “Some medicines have been tested, but none have been found particularly effective. At present, treatment is done only on the basis of symptoms. It is necessary to immediately admit serious patients to the ICU.” According to him, Nipah virus rapidly affects the brain. The patient may become unconscious, have seizures, heart beat may stop and serious breathing problems may occur. If such symptoms appear, it is very important to reach the hospital immediately, because the mortality rate of this virus is very high.
