WEB DESK: A deadly Nipah virus outbreak, deemed more lethal than COVID-19, has prompted emergency measures in India, raising public health alarms and jeopardizing the T20 World Cup schedule.
The virus, disrupting West Bengal’s healthcare system, reportedly emerged at a private hospital in Barasat, with five confirmed cases. Among them, three are healthcare workers, underscoring its high transmission risk in medical environments.
Infected patients are now under care at a Kolkata infectious diseases facility, while nearly 100 close contacts remain quarantined to curb further spread.
First detected in 1998, Nipah is a zoonotic virus transmitted from animals, predominantly fruit bats, to humans. WHO estimates its fatality rate at 40–75%, far deadlier than COVID-19. Symptoms progress rapidly, causing severe respiratory issues, encephalitis, and frequent mortality.
With no vaccine or targeted antiviral treatment available, health experts warn of a potential healthcare crisis if the outbreak escalates. Public event restrictions may follow as authorities aim to prevent widespread transmission.
In Kerala, one death marks the second Nipah fatality this year. Meanwhile, the expanding threat casts doubt on the T20 World Cup’s timeline, as officials caution that ongoing outbreaks could disrupt or delay the tournament.
