Health officials are monitoring a potential resurgence of Nipah virus in India following the confirmation of two cases in west bengal, prompting a public health response and surveillance of nearly 200 contacts. The highly virulent zoonotic virus, with a mortality rate ranging from 40% to 75%, has no vaccine or specific treatment, raising concerns despite the World Health Association’s current assessment of a low risk of widespread outbreak [[1]], [[2]],[[3]]. This outbreak,affecting healthcare workers near Kolkata,comes as neighboring countries also increase vigilance amid ongoing concerns about international spread.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has assessed the risk of a Nipah virus outbreak expanding in India as “low,” following the confirmation of two cases in West Bengal state and a subsequent epidemiological alert issued by Indian authorities. Nipah virus is a highly lethal pathogen for which there is currently no vaccine or specific antiviral treatment, making any potential spread a significant public health concern.
“India has the capacity to contain these outbreaks, as has been demonstrated in past cases,” a WHO spokesperson stated on Tuesday, January 27, 2026, in response to a query from the Associated Press. The spokesperson added that the WHO has been in contact with both local and national Indian health authorities to conduct a risk assessment and provide technical support.
Currently, there is no evidence to suggest an increase in human-to-human transmission of the virus, according to the WHO source. The virus typically spreads from animals – such as fruit bats and pigs – or through contaminated food.
Infection with Nipah virus can range from asymptomatic cases to acute respiratory illness and fatal encephalitis, with an estimated mortality rate between 40% and 75%. This high fatality rate underscores the importance of rapid detection and containment efforts.
The two confirmed cases involve healthcare workers – a 25-year-old man and a 25-year-old woman – from a private hospital in Barasat, approximately 20 kilometers north of Kolkata. Both individuals began exhibiting symptoms in the first week of December and were isolated in early January, the WHO reported.
The National Institute of Virology of India confirmed the Nipah virus infection on January 13, and the cases were reported to the WHO on Monday, January 26, according to the UN health agency spokesperson.
As a result of the confirmed cases, approximately 190 individuals who had contact with the infected patients are now under surveillance.
India’s Ministry of Health has also directed hospitals in the affected area to enhance safety protocols, mandating the use of complete personal protective equipment (PPE) for medical personnel to mitigate the risk of human-to-human transmission.
Since 2018, cases have been concentrated in the southern state of Kerala, where the most recent outbreak in July 2025 led to three infections and two fatalities.
Concerns about the potential spread of the virus have extended throughout Asia, prompting countries like Thailand, Nepal, and Hong Kong to activate screening measures at some of their airports, including temperature checks and health declaration forms.
China Monitoring for Nipah Virus
While no Nipah virus infections have been detected in China, authorities acknowledge the risk of imported cases, according to state-run CCTV.
The epidemiological alert issued by India regarding the new outbreak has raised concerns in China, particularly as the country prepares for the Lunar New Year holiday – a period characterized by hundreds of millions of domestic and international travelers.
Known as ‘chunyun,’ this 40-day travel period begins on February 2 and extends until March 13. Last year’s edition saw 9.02 billion domestic trips, excluding international travel.
News of the Nipah virus was among the most discussed topics on Chinese social media at the start of the week, with the hashtag ‘WHO says Nipah virus could cause a global pandemic’ trending on Weibo – the Chinese equivalent of X – with 43.1 million views.
Despite these concerns, medical professionals are urging calm, stating that China possesses the technological capabilities to rapidly monitor the virus. They believe the risk of an outbreak within the country remains relatively low.
Source: Deutsche Welle
