Kolkata, Jan 14 || Two nurses from Barasat in North 24 Parganas district of West Bengal who have tested positive for the Nipah virus are in a coma and in extremely critical condition, hospital sources said on Wednesday.
In both cases, the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) scores for eye opening, verbal response, and motor response are below five. The female nurse has tested positive for Nipah, with her samples confirmed by the National Institute of Virology (NIV), Pune. Doctors said the male nurse, who is currently on ventilator support, is also likely to test positive.
Around 65 people who came into contact with the two nurses have been identified and placed under isolation. The infected nurses were staying as paying guests in Hridaypur, Barasat. Two people who stayed with the male nurse and one who stayed with the female nurse have developed fever and are under observation.
Those exposed to the patients, including the ambulance driver who transported them to Burdwan Medical College and Hospital, medical staff involved in their treatment, and others present at the time, have been screened and provided preventive care.