India says public health measures in place against Nipah virus

​​​​​​​By Ahmad Adil

NEW DELHI (AA) - India said Tuesday that public health measures are in place after two cases of the Nipah virus were confirmed in the eastern state of West Bengal, according to a statement.

Two confirmed cases of the virus have been reported in West Bengal since December, and authorities initiated "prompt and comprehensive public health measures in accordance with established protocols,” said the statement by the Indian Health Ministry.

It added “196 contacts linked to the confirmed cases have been identified, traced, monitored, and tested,” and no “additional Nipah virus disease cases have been detected so far.”

“The situation is under constant monitoring, and all necessary public health measures are in place,” it said.

Nipah virus, a zoonotic disease that can cause severe respiratory illness and encephalitis, has previously been reported in the southern state of Kerala, where multiple outbreaks have occurred in recent years.

Several nations and regions, including Thailand, Kazakhstan, Nepal, as well as Taiwan and Hong Kong, have initiated measures following cases in India.​​​​​​​