Recent claims circulating on social media about new Nipah virus cases in West Bengal, including infections among healthcare workers and severe illness developing within 9 to 14 days, have led to public concern. However, health authorities have urged people to rely only on verified official information and avoid spreading unconfirmed reports.
Nipah virus is a rare but serious viral disease that can cause fever, respiratory symptoms and encephalitis, or inflammation of the brain. Due to its high fatality rate in past outbreaks, even suspected cases trigger heightened medical surveillance and precautionary measures.
Health officials stated that whenever Nipah infection is suspected, standard protocols such as isolation of patients, contact tracing, testing of close contacts and localized containment measures are immediately implemented to prevent further spread. These actions are precautionary and do not necessarily indicate a large scale outbreak.
Authorities clarified that there is no official announcement of a nationwide or state wide lockdown related to Nipah virus at present. Any decision on restrictions would be communicated formally by government health departments if required.
Medical experts cautioned that viral trends and social media posts often exaggerate or misinterpret health information, leading to unnecessary panic. They advised citizens to stay informed through official government health bulletins and credible public health agencies.
The public has been urged to remain calm, practice good hygiene, and follow verified medical advisories, while refraining from sharing unverified or misleading information related to infectious diseases.
