Kolkata Health Officials Probe Possible First Nipah Case in Barasat
A joint health team from the central and state governments visited a house in Barasat's Kazipara area on Thursday. Their mission was clear. They wanted to determine if a local woman's death in late December marked the index case of the Nipah virus infection in the region.
Details of the Suspected Case Emerge
The woman, aged 56, was admitted to Barasat Hospital on December 19. She displayed symptoms consistent with Nipah infection. These included fever, cold, cough, vomiting, and a loss of consciousness. Her condition deteriorated rapidly. She died just three days later, on December 22.
A critical detail emerged during the investigation. The woman's family told officials she had consumed fresh date palm sap before falling ill. Health experts immediately noted the significance. Date palm sap can act as a carrier for the Nipah virus if contaminated by fruit bats. In India, all previous Nipah outbreaks have links to these bats.
Family Interview and Source Tracing
The health team conducted extensive interviews with the deceased woman's family. They documented her symptoms and confirmed the consumption of date palm sap. Officials then sought details about the sap seller to trace the potential source of contamination.
Riyazul Rahman Molla, a neighbor, described the scene. "Health department officials came and asked the family about her illness," he said. "The family mentioned the fever. They also said family members consumed the date palm sap. The officials then asked for the address of the person who sold it."
Hospital Records and Conflicting Information
The investigation revealed discrepancies in the official record. Barasat Municipality ward 1 councillor Mariyam Kazi provided insight. She stated the hospital's death certificate listed pneumonia as the cause of death. However, the family reported symptoms of fever and vomiting. "Beyond this, I cannot say anything," Kazi added.
Sources indicated the two Nipah-infected nurses from Barasat Hospital might have been involved in treating this woman. This connection adds another layer to the contact tracing efforts.
Panic and Reassurance in the Locality
The visit by health officials triggered some panic among residents of Kazipara. Locals, however, were quick to offer reassurance. They reported that no one else in the area currently shows any symptoms of Nipah infection.
Broader Investigation and Patient Update
This is not the only location health teams have visited. Earlier, officials went to Krishnaganj in Nadia district. One of the infected nurses had stayed there for a couple of days, attending a wedding on December 14, before returning to work at Barasat Hospital.
A state health official emphasized the ongoing nature of the probe. "Our state expert team, along with the central team, is working to trace the origin of the infection. It is still under investigation," the official stated.
In a positive development, Abhijit Saha, MSVP of Barasat Medical College and Hospital, confirmed the two infected nurses are showing improvement. "This is a positive sign," he said. He also acknowledged the joint team's visit to the deceased woman's home as part of the source-tracing operation.
The core question remains unanswered. Was the 56-year-old woman from Kazipara the first person in this outbreak to contract the Nipah virus? Health authorities continue their meticulous work to piece together the timeline and source of this dangerous infection.
