Nipah virus does not spread like COVID-19 and is not expected to cause mass lockdowns. Severe cases can be managed with intensive care. WHO recommends preventive measures such as: good personal hygiene, ventilation of premises, avoiding crowds, staying home in case of illness and seeking medical help in time
An outbreak of the Nipah virus in the eastern Indian state of West Bengal has raised concerns in China and several Southeast Asian countries, prompting authorities to tighten health checks at airports. Two cases of Nipah virus infection have been confirmed in West Bengal since December 2025, India’s Health Ministry said on Wednesday.
The institution did not provide details on the identities of the infected, but stressed that out of the 196 people contacted, all have been traced, have not shown symptoms and have tested negative for the virus. Is there reason to worry? Experts say the situation should be monitored carefully, but there is no reason for immediate panic. Here is what is known so far:
WHAT IS NIPAH VIRUS?
Nipah virus (NiV) is a zoonotic virus, meaning it is transmitted from animals to humans. The main vectors are fruit bats, but infection can also occur through contaminated food products or from person to person through direct contact. The virus is potentially fatal. The incubation period usually lasts from 5 to 14 days, while symptoms usually appear within 3-4 days. The infection causes severe respiratory and neurological illness, starting with fever and headache, and in severe cases progresses to inflammation of the brain.
“The mortality rate is high, from 40 to 75 percent of infected people,” Abbas told Al Jazeera. However, according to him, the basic reproduction number of the virus, that is, the average number of people infected by a sick person, is usually less than 1, which indicates that human-to-human spread is limited and it is unlikely that the virus will turn into a global pandemic, as happened with COVID-19.
WHERE HAS IT APPEARED BEFORE?
The first outbreak was recorded in 1998 in Malaysia and Singapore, where pig farmers and butchers were infected by sick animals. About 250 people were infected and over 100 died. In 2014, cases of the virus were reported in the Philippines, linked to the slaughter of horses and the consumption of contaminated meat. Since 2001, sporadic but recurring outbreaks have been recorded in South Asia, particularly in Bangladesh and India. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), in Bangladesh, infections have been linked to the consumption of raw palm sap, close contact with secretions of infected people, and care for sick patients. In India, the first official cases were recorded in West Bengal in 2007, but an earlier outbreak was identified in the city of Siliguri in 2001, where 75% of the cases were hospital staff or visitors.
Since 2018, dozens of deaths have been reported in the state of Kerala, which is currently considered the world’s highest-risk area for Nipah virus. The causes of outbreaks in other Indian states remain unclear. Some experts believe that the infection may be linked to the consumption of fruits contaminated with bat saliva or urine, while the Indian Council of Medical Research has suggested that, in addition to physical contact, the virus can also be transmitted through the air, although this has not been fully proven. According to Abbas, the fact that the two latest cases in West Bengal are health workers at the same hospital indicates the possibility of transmission from an infected but as yet undiagnosed patient.
IS THERE A VACCINE AGAINST THE VIRUS?
There is currently no approved vaccine or treatment for Nipah virus, either for humans or animals, according to the WHO. The University of Oxford is conducting clinical trials for a vaccine in Bangladesh, while the second phase of testing began in December 2025. In the absence of a vaccine, doctors have used antivirals such as Ribavirin, although its effectiveness remains unclear. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has stated that Remdesivir may also help in prevention, at least in experiments with primates. In Kerala, Remdesivir was used during an outbreak in 2023, affecting the reduction of the mortality rate.
WHICH COUNTRIES HAVE STRENGTHENED HEALTH CHECKS?
Thailand, Indonesia, Nepal and Malaysia have announced increased screening measures at international airports. Thailand has designated special areas for planes arriving from affected countries and has required passengers to fill out health forms before going through immigration. Thermal scanners to detect fever have also been installed at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport. Similar measures have been implemented in Malaysia, Indonesia and Nepal.
HOW CAN THE SPREAD OF THE VIRUS BE PREVENTED?
In China, concerns have increased sharply, especially due to mass travel during the Spring Festival holidays. State media CCTV reported that the country had not recorded any cases, but warned of the risk of importing the virus. According to experts, the Nipah virus does not spread like COVID-19 and is not expected to cause mass lockdowns. Severe cases can be managed with intensive care. The WHO recommends preventive measures such as: good personal hygiene, ventilation of premises, avoiding crowds, staying home if sick and seeking medical help in a timely manner.
In particular, the organization emphasizes the need to limit bats’ access to food products, especially palm oil. Fruits should be washed, peeled, and those with bat bite marks should be discarded. International health authorities emphasize that vigilance, transparency, and prevention are key to keeping the Nipah virus under control and avoiding its spread across borders.