Two nurses in West Bengal are critically ill with the Nipah virus. One nurse has gone into a coma while the other is on ventilator support at a private hospital in Barasat. Both worked at the hospital. A doctor and another nurse who came into contact with them developed symptoms and were admitted to Infectious Diseases and Beleghata General Hospital in Kolkata. Their samples are being tested for Nipah. The initial positive test results for the nurses came from All India Institute of Medical Sciences-Kalyani on January 11, 2026. The National Institute of Virology (NIV), Pune, reconfirmed their infection on January 14, 2026. The source of the outbreak is still unknown. Contact tracing is active in North 24 Parganas, Bardhaman, and Nadia districts. Over 120 people who had contact with the nurses, including hospital staff, family members, and ambulance drivers, have been asked to isolate. Some samples from contacts have been sent for testing. Three co-workers of the nurses have been suspended temporarily. A relative said, "She came home because of her cold and fever. We had no idea what else it could have been. She is our family. Of course, we lived together as families do." The Nipah virus causes flu-like symptoms such as fever, muscle pain, sore throat, and breathing issues. Severe cases can lead to convulsions and respiratory distress. The virus can be carried by pigs. The West Bengal government has set up helpline numbers: 03323330180, 9874708858, 9836046212 for public queries. Authorities urge people not to panic but to stay alert and keep good hygiene.