In view of the escalating public health situation following confirmed cases of Nipah virus in neighbouring West Bengal, the Jharkhand Health Department today issued a comprehensive advisory urging heightened vigilance and preparedness across the state. While no confirmed Nipah infection has been reported in Jharkhand so far, the movement of people from affected regions poses a potential risk and necessitates proactive measures to safeguard public health.

The advisory, issued by the Health Department and emphasised by Additional Chief Secretary (Health) Ajoy Kumar, underscores the highly infectious nature and significant mortality associated with Nipah virus — a zoonotic disease transmitted primarily from bats to humans and animals, as well as through close contact with infected individuals or contaminated materials such as fruits and raw date palm sap.

To prevent any possible outbreak, all district civil surgeons have been directed to strengthen screening and surveillance, especially of individuals arriving from Nipah-affected regions. The directive mandates early detection and prompt reporting of suspected cases to the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP) and calls for strict infection prevention and control (IPC) protocols in all healthcare facilities across Jharkhand.

The advisory lists common symptoms of Nipah virus infection — including high fever, headache, dizziness, cough, breathing difficulty, sore throat, and neurological complications such as seizures and altered mental status — and emphasizes the need for immediate isolation and referral for advanced care for patients exhibiting severe symptoms or respiratory distress.

In addition to clinical preparedness, the public has been appealed to avoid eating fallen fruits and consuming raw date palm sap or toddy, maintain appropriate physical distancing where possible, and seek immediate medical attention upon noticing any concerning symptoms.

As part of readiness measures, the Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS), Ranchi, has prepared 22 isolation beds to manage any potential cases that may arise, further strengthening the state’s response capacity.

Earlier this week, Jharkhand had already sounded an alert and issued detailed guidelines on surveillance and public awareness, amplifying the state’s commitment to keeping its communities safe from this high-risk infectious disease.