Nipah-recovered nurse dies of cardiac arrest at private hospital in West Bengal

Kolkata/ New Delhi: A 25-year-old nurse who had previously recovered from Nipah virus infection died of cardiac arrest on Thursday at a private hospital in Barasat, a state health department official confirmed.

The nurse, a resident of Katwa in Purba Bardhaman district, was one of two health workers in West Bengal who tested positive for Nipah earlier this year. The other, a male nurse, has since recovered and returned home.

“She died of cardiac arrest this afternoon. Though she had recovered from Nipah infection, she was suffering from multiple complications,” the official said.

Also Read | Nipah virus spread risk low, says WHO after fresh cases near India-Bangladesh border 

She first fell ill in early January after returning home on December 31 for the New Year holidays. Initially admitted to Burdwan Medical College and Hospital, she was later shifted to the private facility in Barasat, where she remained under intensive care until her death.  

She had been taken off ventilator support at the end of January but remained in a prolonged coma, which severely weakened her immunity. During treatment, she had developed a lung infection and contracted a hospital-acquired infection.

Also Read | New Nipah virus vaccine proves safe, shows strong immune response: The Lancet 

“She was trying to regain consciousness, move her limbs, and speak before her condition suddenly deteriorated. She died at around 4:20 PM,” the official added.

PTI