Nipah Virus Scare: Woman's Death Linked to Date Palm Sap, Sparks Barasat Outbreak Fears

• A woman's death in Barasat, North 24 Parganas, is now suspected to be the initial Nipah virus case, raising alarm.
• She was admitted on December 19 with severe symptoms and died on December 22; her symptoms matched Nipah.
• Two nurses who treated her are now infected with Nipah, one critically, confirming the virus's presence.
• The woman had consumed date palm sap, a known Nipah transmission route via bats, before falling ill.
• Health authorities are tracing contacts, investigating the link to date palm sap, and monitoring the situation closely.

Why It Matters: A woman's death in Barasat is now linked to Nipah virus, potentially from date palm sap, causing widespread concern.