Recently, Nipah virus has emerged as a recurring public health concern in South Asia, particularly in India and Bangladesh. While the virus is rare and does not spread easily, its high fatality rate and lack of specific treatment make each outbreak a serious matter requiring swift response.
What Is Nipah Virus?
Nipah virus (NiV) is a zoonotic virus, meaning it spreads from animals to humans. It was first identified in 1998-1999 during an outbreak among pig farmers in Malaysia and Singapore. Since then, it has appeared mainly in South Asia, particularly in India and Bangladesh.
The virus is naturally carried by fruit bats (flying foxes) of the Pteropus genus. Humans can become infected in several ways:
By consuming food or drinks contaminated by bats, such as fruit or raw date palm sap
Through infected animals like pigs
Through close contact with infected people, especially bodily fluids
Nipah infection can range from mild illness to severe disease. Early symptoms often include fever, headache, muscle pain, vomiting, and sore throat. In serious cases, the virus can cause encephalitis (brain inflammation), leading to confusion, seizures, coma, and death.
What makes Nipah especially dangerous is its high fatality rate, which typically ranges from 40% to 75%, and sometimes higher. There is currently no approved vaccine or specific treatment. Care focuses on managing symptoms and complications.
Because of its severity and outbreak potential, the World Health Organization (WHO) lists Nipah as a priority pathogen requiring close monitoring and research.
Key Facts About Nipah Virus
Natural reservoir: Fruit bats (Pteropus species)
Transmission: From bats to humans, animals to humans, and limited human-to-human spread through close contact
Nipah is not airborne and does not spread easily like COVID-19 or influenza
Incubation period: Usually 4-14 days, but can be up to 21 days
Fatality rate: Commonly 40-75%, varying by outbreak
Treatment: No cure or vaccine; supportive care only
Geographic presence: Human cases mainly in India and Bangladesh, though bats carrying the virus are found across Southeast Asia
India’s 2024 Nipah Outbreak in Kerala
In 2024, India reported two separate Nipah deaths in the southern state of Kerala, a region that has experienced multiple Nipah outbreaks since 2018.
The first case occurred in July 2024, when a 14-year-old boy from Malappuram district died from Nipah infection. Health authorities immediately activated Kerala’s Nipah response protocol. More than 200 contacts were identified, including 60 high-risk individuals, all of whom were isolated or closely monitored. Hospitals prepared dedicated wards and intensive care units. No additional infections were detected from this case.
A second, unrelated case was confirmed in September 2024, involving a 24-year-old man, also in Malappuram. Authorities again moved quickly, tracing 151 contacts and testing anyone with symptoms. All tests came back negative, and the outbreak was contained.
Although both patients died, no community transmission occurred. Kerala’s rapid response, developed through experience with earlier outbreaks, prevented wider spread.
Further Nipah Cases in India (2025-2026)
Kerala, 2025: Between May and July 2025, Kerala detected four Nipah cases, including two deaths. These cases occurred across two districts, Malappuram and Palakkad, suggesting multiple independent spillover events rather than a single chain of transmission.
Authorities traced more than 700 contacts, imposed movement controls in affected areas, and strengthened hospital surveillance. Once again, the outbreak was contained to a small number of cases.
West Bengal, 2026: In January 2026, India reported a Nipah cluster in West Bengal, near Kolkata, an unusual development, as the state had not seen Nipah since 2007.
At least five infections were confirmed, many involving healthcare workers. The outbreak occurred inside a hospital, indicating nosocomial (hospital-acquired) transmission from an initial patient. Around 100 contacts were quarantined and tested.
Importantly, no deaths were reported in this cluster, and the virus did not spread beyond the hospital setting. By late January 2026, no additional cases had been detected elsewhere in India or abroad.
Following India’s recent outbreaks, several neighboring countries responded with heightened precautions. Thailand began screening passengers at three airports receiving flights from West Bengal, while Nepal introduced screening at Kathmandu airport and land border points with India.
These preventive measures reflect the seriousness with which regional governments treat Nipah, even though the virus does not spread easily and requires close contact for transmission.
Is There a Risk Beyond India?
Bangladesh
Bangladesh experiences regular Nipah outbreaks, often every year during winter. Transmission is commonly linked to drinking raw date palm sap contaminated by bats. In 2024, Bangladesh reported five cases, all fatal.
These outbreaks are not linked to India’s cases and have never caused international spread. Bangladesh manages the risk through long-standing surveillance and public education.
Thailand
Thailand has never recorded a human Nipah case, despite having fruit bats capable of carrying the virus. After India’s outbreaks, Thailand increased airport screening, hospital preparedness, and laboratory readiness.
Thai authorities emphasized that the current risk is very low, and no infections were detected among screened travelers. Claims suggesting an imminent Nipah outbreak in Thailand are unsupported.
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka has also never reported Nipah infections. As a precaution, it enhanced health screening for travelers from India and reviewed hospital preparedness. No cases were detected, and officials stressed there was no cause for alarm.
Other Asia-Pacific Countries
Countries such as Nepal, Taiwan, China, and several Southeast Asian nations heightened surveillance but reported no Nipah cases during 2024-2026. Outside India and Bangladesh, the virus did not spread internationally.
Why Widespread Spread Is Unlikely
Although Nipah is deadly, it is not highly contagious. Transmission usually requires close physical contact, often in caregiving or hospital settings. This limits its ability to spread across borders.
Health authorities rely on rapid detection, isolation, contact tracing, and public awareness. These measures have repeatedly proven effective in containing outbreaks.
The WHO has stated that recent Nipah cases in India remain localized and pose a low risk to national and regional populations at this time.
Prevention and Preparedness
With no vaccine or cure, prevention is critical. Key measures include:
Avoiding contact with bats and sick animals
Not consuming raw date palm sap
Early identification and isolation of suspected cases
Strict infection-control practices in hospitals
Enhanced surveillance in regions where fruit bats live
Across South and Southeast Asia, health systems remain on alert. While vigilance is necessary, current evidence shows that Nipah outbreaks continue to be small, contained, and manageable with proper public health action.
If You Have Symptoms: What to Do
If you develop symptoms such as fever, headache, vomiting, difficulty breathing, or confusion, especially within 21 days of visiting an outbreak area or being exposed to infected individuals or animals, take these steps:
Isolate yourself from others immediately
Wear a medical mask
Seek medical attention right away
Inform healthcare workers about your travel or exposure history
Nipah virus is a serious but controlled threat. Recent outbreaks in India were quickly contained, with no international spread detected. For the wider Asia-Pacific region, the risk remains low. Stay informed by checking updates from your local health authorities.
Sources:
Thailand’s Department of Disease Control
Center for Health Protection (Hong Kong)
Title:Nipah Virus Explained: India’s Recent Outbreaks and Regional Risk Assessment
Fact Check By: Cielito WangResult: Insight
