Residents in India’s eastern city of Kolkata expressed concern on Thursday (January 29) following reports of two deadly Nipah virus cases in West Bengal.

The virus, which is carried by fruit bats and animals such as pigs, can cause fever and brain inflammation and has a fatality rate of between 40% and 75%.

Although it can spread from person to person, transmission is not easy and typically requires prolonged contact with an infected individual.

The infections were confirmed in India in late December.

Small-scale outbreaks are not unusual and virologists said the risk to the general population remained low.

Several vaccines are in development but are still undergoing testing.

The West Bengal cases are the state's first in nearly two decades, following five fatal infections in 2007, local media reported.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

PEOPLE WEARING MASKS AND WALKING IN MARKET / SOUNDBITES FROM LOCAL RESIDENTS / SOUNDBITE FROM HEALTH WORKER / EXTERIORS OF HOSPITAL

RESENDING WITH COMPLETE SCRIPT

SHOWS: KOLKATA, WEST BENGAL, INDIA (JANUARY 29, 2026) (ANI - No use India)

1. VEHICLES MOVING ALONG STREET

2. VARIOUS OF PEOPLE WALKING IN MARKET AREA, SOME WEARING FACE MASKS

3. (SOUNDBITE) (Hindi) KOLKATA RESIDENT, ROHIT TIWARI, SAYING:

"After the Coronavirus outbreak, a very serious virus has entered West Bengal. This morning, I was watching the news bulletin. Nipah virus has infected people - several people, including many children, have also lost their lives (in the world) because of this virus. So, in the coming days, we all need to stay aware. We will have to wear masks, and so far no vaccine has been developed for it."

4. PEOPLE WALKING IN MARKET AREA

5. KOLKATA RESIDENT, NASEEMA HUSSAIN, AND ANOTHER WOMAN, WALKING WEARING MASKS

6. WOMAN, WITH MASK ON, BROWSING CLOTHES IN A SHOP IN THE MARKET

7. (SOUNDBITE) (Hindi) KOLKATA RESIDENT, NASEEMA HUSSAIN, SAYING:

"Everyone is scared that this new virus (Nipah) has suddenly appeared. We were just coming out of (Corona) virus, and now another one has surfaced… because of this, we have a sense of trauma. So, we are just trying to stay safe."

8. VARIOUS OF PEOPLE WALKING WITH MASKS ON

9. (SOUNDBITE) (English) MEDICAL CONSULTANT AT NARAYANA - RN TAGORE HOSPITAL, ARINDAM BISWAS, SAYING:

"Nipah virus doesn't spread too far, unlike Covid(19), but if we can halt the spread, we can erase the progress by easy means, by maintaining proper hygiene. There is no proper vaccine, there is no proper medicine, only conservative treatment is available. But, hygiene is the most important task."

10. VARIOUS OF EXTERIORS OF HOSPITAL WHERE ARRANGEMENTS FOR POSSIBLE NIPAH VIRUS OUTBREAK HAVE BEEN MADE BY AUTHORITIES