West Bengal is on high alert following the confirmation of Nipah virus in two samples by the National Institute of Virology (NIV) in Pune. The samples were from two nurses at a Barasat hospital, both of whom are in critical condition, with one reported to be in a coma and requiring ventilator support. This confirmation follows preliminary positive tests at AIIMS Kalyani. The state health department has initiated extensive contact tracing, identifying over 120 individuals who had close contact with the infected nurses, including family members, doctors, nurses, and other healthcare workers. All identified contacts have been placed under home isolation, and efforts are ongoing to trace more. In response to the serious nature of the Nipah virus, a highly fatal zoonotic disease, the Union Health Ministry has deployed a National Joint Outbreak Response Team to West Bengal to assist with surveillance, case management, infection prevention, and control measures. The Centre is coordinating closely with the state government to ensure swift and coordinated containment efforts. The source of the infection remains unclear, with investigations exploring possibilities such as human-to-human transmission, contaminated fruits, or raw date palm sap. Nipah virus has a high mortality rate, ranging from 45% to 75%, and currently lacks a specific treatment or vaccine, making immediate containment crucial to prevent wider community spread. Healthcare facilities in Barasat, Barrackpore, Katwa, and Burdwan are particularly impacted, with dozens of medical professionals under observation.