Nipah Virus Outbreak in India Prompts Regional Precautions

Indian authorities have confirmed a recent outbreak of the Nipah virus in West Bengal after two healthcare workers tested positive. All 196 identified contacts have tested negative, and officials say the situation is under constant monitoring with public health measures in place.

Nipah virus, first identified during a 1998 outbreak in Malaysia, is a highly fatal zoonotic disease transmitted from animals such as fruit bats and pigs to humans, as well as through close human contact. The virus can cause severe respiratory illness, neurological complications, seizures, and even coma. With a fatality rate of 40 to 75 percent, it is significantly more deadly than COVID-19. There is currently no approved vaccine or cure, with treatment limited to supportive care.

In response, several Asian countries including Thailand, Indonesia, Nepal, Malaysia, and China have tightened airport screenings, installed thermal scanners, and reinforced border health checks, particularly as millions prepare to travel for the Lunar New Year. The World Health Organization has said monitoring and containment of Nipah outbreaks remain a global health priority.