A measured English daily covering India and the wider world.
West Bengal has intensified containment measures after two healthcare workers tested positive for Nipah virus, with central and state teams expanding contact tracing, isolation protocols and surveillance amid concern over the infection’s high fatality risk.
Delhi saw a temporary air-quality reprieve as the AQI fell to its lowest level in more than three months, helped by rain and gusty winds. Forecasts, however, indicated pollution would likely worsen again, with weather shifts and winter conditions set to influence both AQI levels and respiratory risk.
The India Meteorological Department has issued alerts for heavy snowfall, hailstorms, thunderstorms and widespread rain as a western disturbance is set to impact several regions from January 26. Authorities and travellers are being advised to prepare for disruptions, including reduced visibility, blocked roads and transport delays.
Indian health authorities have confirmed two Nipah virus cases in West Bengal involving two nurses at a private hospital near Kolkata. Officials have expanded testing, quarantined high-risk contacts and begun surveillance steps as investigations look for the infection source.
The IMD has forecast a new spell of unsettled weather from 26 January across parts of north, northwest and central India, with heavy snowfall/rain in pockets and hailstorms and gusty winds in some areas. The agency also warned dense fog and cold wave conditions may persist in pockets through 26 January.
Two healthcare workers in West Bengal have tested positive for Nipah virus, prompting an intensified containment response involving state and national agencies. Officials have moved to trace contacts, isolate high-risk exposures and strengthen surveillance as the investigation looks for the likely source of infection.
A report referencing provisional data shared with the World Health Organization places India among the countries reporting significant measles outbreaks in 2025, even as India’s measles-rubella elimination campaign targets higher coverage and stronger surveillance through 2026.
Six girls were found unconscious and hospitalised after a fire broke out at the Nine Education girls’ hostel in Telangana’s Medchal–Malkajgiri district early Sunday. Officials said the blaze was triggered by an air-conditioner blast caused by a short circuit; local residents helped control the flames before fire services arrived, and the students were shifted to a nearby hospital for treatment.
NATHEALTH, in pre-Budget recommendations, called for healthcare to be treated as core infrastructure, proposed a ₹50,000 crore healthcare infrastructure fund, and flagged India’s rising NCD burden while seeking incentives to boost preventive screening.
A WHO-linked analysis of provisional outbreak data has placed India among the countries reporting significant measles activity in 2025, reinforcing concerns that vaccination coverage and surveillance must stay high to prevent resurgence. Indian public health messaging continues to emphasise the two-dose measles-rubella schedule under the Universal Immunisation Programme, alongside targeted elimination efforts aimed at stopping measles and rubella transmission by 2026.
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Health authorities have reported two Nipah virus cases in West Bengal involving two nurses at a private hospital near Kolkata, prompting expanded testing, contact tracing and quarantine measures. With no approved cure or vaccine and a history of high fatality in outbreaks, officials are monitoring contacts while urging basic precautions to reduce exposure risks.
West Bengal has reported two suspected Nipah virus cases, prompting the Centre to deploy a National Joint Outbreak Response Team and activate national coordination systems. Health authorities have intensified surveillance, lab support and contact tracing, as the high-fatality zoonotic infection triggers heightened preparedness.