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‘Enclosures and pathways disinfected twice’: Alipore Zoo takes steps after Nipah virus cases in Bengal

An Alipore Zoo official shared that the footfall has not dwindled even after the Nipah outbreak in the state.

2 min readKolkataJan 15, 2026 04:51 PM IST

Alipore Zoo takes steps after Nipah virus cases in Bengal

Bat droppings are seen under the trees where the bats live, though the droppings are cleaned regularly Alipore zoological garden's officials said. (Credit: Wiki/Commons)

With two human Nipah cases detected in West Bengal recently and many more people put in isolation as a precautionary measure, the Alipore Zoological Garden has stepped up monitoring of resident fruit and Indian flying fox bats in the zoo.

Speaking to The Indian Express, Tripti Shah, Director, Alipore Zoo, Thursday remarked: “As per the advice of veterinary officers, disinfecting sprays are being used. This is done mainly in the winter season, as there is a huge rush of visitors, and that brings more infection. If there is any advice from the government, we will implement it immediately.”

According to Shah, “The spraying in the enclosures and pathways is done once in the morning and once in the evening. And staff have been informed to especially disinfect those areas that are frequented by the bats.”

The sprays contain hypochlorite and other chemical agents.

The precautionary measures also include waste management, enclosure sanitation, spraying of antiviral medicine and routine monitoring of the bats.

The staff who enter animal enclosures have also been mandated to use gloves and masks. They must also dip their feet in foot baths before entering and when leaving the enclosures.

However, a zoo official shared that the footfall of visitors has not dwindled even after the Nipah outbreak in the state.

“Bat droppings are seen under the trees where the bats live, though the droppings are cleaned regularly. People are also not scared of the droppings as they know that the infection is spread mainly through bats licking or biting the fruits,” the officer said.

Tanusree Bose

Tanusree Bose is a dedicated journalist reporting for The Indian Express from Kolkata. Her work focuses sharply on the complex administrative, political, and judicial developments across West Bengal, establishing her as an authoritative voice in regional news coverage. Experience Current Role: Reports for the prestigious national daily, The Indian Express, providing her content with a high level of Trustworthiness. Geographical Expertise: Provides focused, in-depth coverage of West Bengal, demonstrating an intimate knowledge of the state's news and political nuances. Core Authority: Her reporting portfolio highlights deep Expertise in crucial, often sensitive, beats, including: State Politics and Governance: Covering the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC), opposition strategies (BJP), and internal political controversies. Judicial and Administrative Affairs: Closely monitoring key developments in the Calcutta High Court, particularly major rulings related to employment, education, and social issues. Education Sector: Extensive reporting on significant controversies, such as teacher recruitment irregularities and administrative actions by the West Bengal Board of Secondary Education (WBBSE). Social & Electoral Issues: Covering public events, community tensions (e.g., religious/political gatherings), and election-related processes like the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral roll. Tanusree Bose's consistent output and focus on high-stakes regional issues for a trusted media outlet underscore her status as a reliable and authoritative source for news from West Bengal. ... Read More

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