Slight improvement in condition of one Nipah-infected nurse

The condition of one of the two nurses infected with the Nipah being treated at a private hospital home at Barasat in West Bengal virus has shown a very slight improvement.

According to sources in the state health department, a tracheostomy has been performed on a nurse.

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The other infected nurse has reportedly regained consciousness and has been taken off ventilator support. Hospital sources said there has been no fresh deterioration in her condition.

Earlier, the condition of both nurses was extremely critical and they were kept on ventilator support.

Over the past two days, doctors have noted marginal improvement in one patient, while the condition of the other has remained stable.

Health department officials also said that no new Nipah infections have been detected in the state so far. Antiviral medicines for the treatment of the infected nurses have been brought from Dadra.

However, Chief Secretary Nandini Chakraborty on Monday had confirmed that the two nurses had tested positive for the Nipah virus and said that Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee was closely monitoring the situation.

The state government has appealed to people not to panic and to remain cautious.

A helpline number has also been launched. Authorities are investigating how the two nurses contracted the virus and identifying those who may have come into contact with them. Contact tracing is currently underway.

It has emerged that the two infected nurses had visited Katwa in East Burdwan a few days ago.

The Chief Medical Officer of Health of East Burdwan, Jayram Hembrom, said a list of 48 people who may have come in contact with them has been prepared and their health condition is being monitored but no one has been tested positive at present.

A special team has also been constituted by the Health Department to review the overall situation.

Meanwhile, on Wednesday, a nurse and a doctor were admitted to Beleghata ID Hospital after they were suspected to have come into contact with the two Nipah-infected nurses. Both are currently under observation.