The female nurse infected with the Nipah virus earlier this year passed away on Thursday afternoon at a private hospital in Barasat. Although she recovered from the spell of the virus, she was facing multiple complications.
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Nipah virus case in West Bengal
News of Nipah infection in the state emerged at the beginning of the year, triggering concern after a male and a female nurse from North 24 Parganas tested positive. The young nurse had gone home to Katwa in East Burdwan on December 31 for the New Year holiday. She fell ill in the first week of January and was initially admitted to Burdwan Medical College Hospital. She was later shifted to the private hospital in Barasat, where she worked, and treatment continued there.
Tests confirmed Nipah virus infection. Around the same time, a male nurse at the same hospital also tested positive. He responded to treatment, recovered, and returned home a few days ago.
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Complications and hospital-acquired infection
The female nurse had been taken off ventilation at the end of January but remained in a coma. According to sources, her autonomic nervous system was not functioning properly, and her immunity had weakened significantly due to prolonged unconsciousness. She later developed a lung infection as well as a hospital-acquired nosocomial infection.
Although she showed occasional signs such as attempting to open her eyes, stiffen her body, move her hands and feet, and speak, her condition suddenly deteriorated on Thursday afternoon. She was declared dead at the private hospital in Barasat.
