Cases of Nipah virus (NiV) infection have been confirmed in West Bengal, India, leading to increased vigilance in the region and beyond. As of late January 2026, authorities have reported five confirmed cases, the majority of which are healthcare workers at a private hospital in Barasat, near Kolkata. The outbreak is linked to nosocomial (hospital-borne) transmission, with the initial cases found in two nurses who showed symptoms in early January. About 100-200 close contacts are being monitored or quarantined, and investigation is underway to trace the source. One patient remains in critical condition, while the others are being given supportive care, including remdesivir according to some reports.
Dr Narendra Kumar Arora, president of AIIMS Bilaspur and chairman of India’s COVID-19 working group, confirmed in an interview to ANI that both Kerala and West Bengal are endemic for the Nipah virus, and there have been sporadic outbreaks in these states (and Bangladesh) over the past few years. He described NiV as highly contagious and fatal, with symptoms progressing to encephalitis or severe respiratory illness, and a mortality rate of 40–75%. “There is currently no vaccine available for this virus,” Dr Arora said, adding that monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) are given upon diagnosis. He noted that global supplies are limited, but stressed India’s initiative to ensure domestic availability.
Nipah is a zoonotic virus spread by fruit-eating bats, and by direct human-to-human contact through contaminated food (such as raw date palm juice), infected animals such as pigs, or bodily fluids. It can cause fever, headache, sleepiness, confusion, trouble breathing, and potentially fatal brain swelling. WHO has listed it as a priority pathogen due to its high mortality rate and potential for outbreaks.
In response, the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand implemented enhanced screening for flights arriving from West Bengal at major airports (Suvarnabhumi, Don Mueang, Phuket) from January 25-27, 2026. Measures include temperature checks, health declaration forms and isolation protocols for symptomatic passengers. No case of Nipah has been reported in Thailand. Similar precautions are being taken in Nepal, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Sri Lanka amid regional concerns ahead of the travel period. No major outbreaks have been reported outside West Bengal, and transmission is not airborne like COVID-19 – requiring close contact. Health experts recommend early detection, strict infection control in hospitals, and avoiding areas or raw juice contaminated with bats. Prevention efforts are focusing on contact tracing and supportive treatment.
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