THE re-emergence of the Nipah virus (NiV) in eastern India has placed international health authorities on alert, as the World Health Organization (WHO) confirms two laboratory-verified cases in West Bengal and urges continued vigilance despite low global risk.
India’s National IHR Focal Point notified the WHO on January 26, 2026 that two young healthcare workers at a private hospital in Barasat, North 24 Parganas district, had tested positive for Nipah virus. Laboratory confirmation was provided earlier, on January 13, by the National Institute of Virology (NIV) in Pune using RT-PCR and ELISA testing.
Both patients, a male and a female nurse aged between 20 and 30, developed severe symptoms in late December 2025 and were hospitalised in early January. As of 21 January, one patient remained on mechanical ventilation, while the second, who experienced serious neurological complications, has shown clinical improvement, the WHO noted.
Health authorities moved swiftly to contain the incident. More than 190 contacts, including hospital staff and community members, were traced and tested. All results were negative. A mobile biosafety level-3 (BSL-3) laboratory deployed by NIV supported rapid screening. India’s National Centre for Disease Control reported on January 27 that no further cases had been detected.
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Although the outbreak is limited, its significance extends beyond India. Nipah is one of the world’s most dangerous zoonotic viruses, with case fatality rates ranging from 40 percent to 75 percent in past outbreaks across South and Southeast Asia. The WHO classifies it as a priority pathogen under its R&D Blueprint for emerging epidemics and pandemics.
A virus with pandemic potential
Nipah virus is transmitted from animals, primarily fruit bats of the Pteropus species, to humans, either directly or through contaminated food such as raw date palm sap. It can also spread between people through close contact, particularly in healthcare settings and within families.
Symptoms often begin with fever, headache, muscle pain, vomiting and sore throat, but can rapidly progress to encephalitis, seizures, respiratory failure and coma. There is no licensed vaccine or antiviral treatment, leaving supportive hospital care as the only defence.
This is the third recorded Nipah outbreak in West Bengal, following previous incidents in Siliguri in 2001 and Nadia district in 2007. India has also experienced multiple outbreaks in Kerala since 2018. Seasonal patterns linked to bat activity and traditional food practices mean cases typically occur between December and May.
Globally, Nipah infections have been reported in Bangladesh, Malaysia, Singapore and the Philippines. While the WHO currently assesses the risk as moderate at the sub-national level in West Bengal, and low nationally, regionally and globally, the agency warns that repeated spillover events are likely due to the widespread presence of bat reservoirs across Asia and the Indian Ocean region.
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Strong response, global coordination
Indian authorities, working under a One Health framework that integrates human, animal and environmental health, have intensified surveillance, infection prevention and control measures, and community education campaigns. Clinicians across the region have been alerted to recognise symptoms early, and rapid response teams remain on standby.
“The situation is under constant monitoring, and all necessary public health measures are in place,” India’s Ministry of Health said.
The WHO is supporting India through international reporting under the International Health Regulations (IHR), real-time monitoring of epidemiological trends, and technical guidance on risk assessment and containment strategies.
There is currently no evidence of cross-border transmission, but the WHO notes that ecological links between countries, particularly shared bat populations, mean vigilance is essential.
Public health message
In the absence of vaccines or treatments, prevention remains the primary safeguard. The WHO advises communities to avoid raw date palm sap, wash and peel fruits, discard food showing signs of bat bites, and steer clear of known bat roosts. Close physical contact with infected individuals should be avoided, and healthcare workers must use full protective equipment when caring for suspected cases, the global health body said.
As global travel and urban expansion increase the likelihood of zoonotic spillovers, experts say the West Bengal incident is a reminder that emerging viruses anywhere can pose a risk everywhere.
For now, the outbreak remains contained. But health authorities worldwide are watching closely, aware that Nipah, though rare, carries consequences that extend far beyond national borders.
