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Nadda Deploys National Team as Nipah Suspected in West Bengal

Union Health Minister JP Nadda has announced immediate action following reports of two suspected Nipah virus cases in West Bengal. A National Joint Outbreak Response Team with experts from multiple national institutes has been deployed to support the state. Nadda confirmed that disease protocols have been shared and central monitoring systems have been activated. He also stated that he spoke with West Bengal's Chief Minister to ensure close collaboration between state and central teams.

Key Points: Nipah Virus Response: Centre Deploys Team to West Bengal

  • Two suspected Nipah cases in West Bengal
  • National outbreak response team deployed
  • Protocols shared with state surveillance unit
  • Nadda urges CM Banerjee's team to collaborate
2 min read

"Coordinated action initiated to contain outbreak:" Union Health Minister Nadda on Nipah virus cases in West Bengal

Union Health Minister JP Nadda confirms coordinated action after two suspected Nipah virus cases in West Bengal. A national outbreak response team has been deployed.

"Coordinated action was immediately initiated to contain the outbreak. - JP Nadda"

New Delhi, January 13

Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare JP Nadda, amid reports of two suspected Nipah virus cases in West Bengal, said that the government has initiated a coordinated response to prevent a potential outbreak.

Taking immediate action, the Union Minister said that the central government has deployed a National Joint Outbreak Response Team to support the State Government in containing the virus.

The team comprises experts from the All India Institute of Health and Public Hygiene, Kolkata; the National Institute of Virology (NIV), Pune; the National Institute of Epidemiology (NIE), Chennai; AIIMS Kalyani; and the Department of Wildlife, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.

"Yesterday, on January 11th, two suspected cases of Nipah virus were found at the ICMR Viral Research and Diagnostic Laboratory in Kalyani... Coordinated action was immediately initiated to contain the outbreak. Upon receiving information about these cases last night, the Union Health Secretary discussed the situation with the Chief Secretary and Principal Secretary of Health of West Bengal. To provide assistance to West Bengal and to contain the outbreak, we immediately established a National Joint Outbreak Response Team. We have deployed a team with members from All India Institute of Health and Public Hygiene, Kolkata, National Institute of Virology, Pune, National Institute of Epidemiology, Chennai, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Kalyani, and Department of Wildlife, Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change to West Bengal," said Nadda.

The Union Minister confirmed that protocols for the Nipah virus and other communicable diseases have been shared with the state's Integrated Disease Surveillance Unit, in accordance with central government guidelines.

Furthermore, the Minister urged West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee to ensure her team of experts collaborates closely with the Indian government task force.

"Our protocols for Nipah virus disease and communicable diseases have been shared with the state's Integrated Disease Surveillance Unit in accordance with central government guidelines. The National Centre for Disease Control and the Public Health Emergency Operations Centre have also been activated... I spoke to West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee and asked her to instruct her team of experts to work closely with the Indian government team and put all their efforts into preventing this. They have assured me that they have activated the department..." added Nadda.

Earlier, two suspected cases of Nipah virus disease were identified at the Virus Research and Diagnostic Laboratory (VRDL), ICMR, AIIMS Kalyani, West Bengal.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
This is very worrying. Nipah has such a high fatality rate. My prayers are with the people of West Bengal and the healthcare workers on the frontlines. The inclusion of the Wildlife Department is smart—we need to find the source, likely from bats or contaminated fruit.
R
Rohit P
The Minister had to *urge* the CM to ensure her team collaborates? This is the problem. Public health emergencies should be above political bickering. Bengal government must put people first and work seamlessly with the central team. No time for blame games.
S
Sarah B
As someone living in Kolkata, this is scary but also reassuring to see the protocols being activated. Hope they do widespread awareness campaigns in local languages about avoiding raw date palm sap and contact with sick animals.
V
Vikram M
Good step. But we need to ask why these outbreaks keep happening. Is our surveillance strong enough at the district level? Are we monitoring bat populations in endemic areas proactively? Reactive measures are good, but prevention is better.
M
Meera T
The speed of response seems better this time. Activating the PHEOC and having experts from multiple institutes will help. Let's trust our scientists and doctors. Jai Hind.

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