Nurse who recovered from Nipah infection dies of cardiac arrest in Bengal hospital
Kolkata/New Delhi (PTI): A nurse who had recovered from Nipah virus infection died of cardiac arrest at a private hospital in West Bengal's Barasat on Thursday, a state health department official said.
The woman had been in a prolonged coma, which severely affected her immunity, and later developed a lung infection. She had been taken off ventilator support at the end of January.
"She died of cardiac arrest this afternoon. Though she had recovered from Nipah infection, she was suffering from multiple complications," the official said.
Two confirmed cases of Nipah Virus disease have been reported from West Bengal since December, according to reports from the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC). The other one, a male nurse, has been cured of the disease.
"Out of the two Nipah positive cases reported from West Bengal on January 11, 2026, one of the nurses who was critically ill and was under intensive medical care passed away today due to cardiac arrest in the hospital where she was under treatment," the Union Health Ministry said.
The ministry had earlier said that speculative and incorrect figures about Nipah Virus Disease (NiVD) cases were being circulated in certain sections of the media.
It had said that following confirmation of these two cases, the Centre, in close coordination with the West Bengal government, initiated prompt and comprehensive public health measures in accordance with established protocols.
"A total of 196 contacts linked to the confirmed cases have been identified, traced, monitored, and tested. All traced contacts have been found asymptomatic and have tested negative for Nipah Virus Disease," the ministry had said in its earlier statement.
Enhanced surveillance, laboratory testing, and field investigations were undertaken through coordinated efforts of Central and state health agencies, which ensured the timely containment of the cases, it had added.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
2,500 coffee kiosks to be set up at Rs 25 crore: Karnataka Minister
Bengaluru (PTI): The state government has sanctioned Rs 25 crore to set up 2,500 coffee kiosks (Akka Cafe), which will be operated by women trained under SHGs, Minister M B Patil said on Thursday.
The initiative aims to strengthen the coffee value chain and promote economic empowerment through employment generation, he added.
The minister was speaking after inaugurating the India International Coffee Festival, organised by the Speciality Coffee Association of India (SCAI), at Palace Grounds in the city.
According to Patil, the Coffee Board, in collaboration with the National Rural Livelihood Mission–Karnataka, is providing training in coffee brewing, cafe management, and entrepreneurship to one lakh women associated with Self-Help Groups across the state.
ALSO READ: Mangaluru: Intoxicated bank employee creates disturbance at Kavoor police station, arrested
The government is also extending scholarships to children of workers employed in coffee estates and large plantations in Kodagu district, he said.
"It is encouraging that coffee growers themselves are branding their produce and showcasing it at the festival," Patil said in a statement issued by his office.
At the ‘Kala Loka’ outlet set up by the Industries Department at Kempegowda International Airport, coffee is being showcased and sold alongside more than 45 other GI-tagged products from the state, featuring distinctive packaging and branding, he noted.
The minister highlighted that coffee is cultivated over 2.2 lakh hectares in Karnataka, making the state the largest producer in the country.
Nearly 75 per cent of India’s total coffee production comes from the districts of Hassan, Kodagu, and Chikkamagaluru.
The Large and Medium Industries Minister said the festival has brought together growers, processors, exporters, roasters, cafes and hospitality service providers, equipment manufacturers, professionals, and consumers under one roof—a commendable initiative.
On the occasion, he visited several stalls at the festival, interacted with exhibitors, showed keen interest in various coffee varieties, and purchased some products.
