India’s public health authorities are closely monitoring the situation after two confirmed Nipah virus cases in West Bengal, confirmed by the Indian Ministry of Health & Family Welfare and the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC). While the cases remain limited, the news has drawn attention because Kerala had previously reported four Nipah infections in 2025, including in the Malappuram and Kozhikode districts, highlighting the regions’ vulnerability to sporadic outbreaks of this rare virus. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), Nipah can be highly lethal, with a fatality rate of up to 75%, underscoring why authorities take even isolated detections seriously.
Nipah virus in India
According to the Indian Ministry of Health & Family Welfare and the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), only 2 confirmed Nipah virus cases have been reported in West Bengal since December 2025. A total of 196 contacts linked to these cases were traced, monitored and tested, all of whom were found asymptomatic.In an exclusive interview with ANI, Dr Narender Kumar Arora, President of AIIMS Bilaspur and Chairman of India’s COVID‑19 Working Group, spoke about the presence of Nipah virus in India. He noted that Kerala and West Bengal are endemic regions and that past cases have been carefully monitored.“Nipah virus is a zoonotic disease… highly infectious and fatal. Patients either develop symptoms of encephalitis or severe respiratory disease, and mortality is 40 to 75%, which is very high,” Dr Arora told ANI. He added that recent cases in West Bengal were first detected among healthcare workers, with further monitoring of potentially exposed individuals underway.He also emphasised that no vaccine is currently available. “Monoclonal antibodies are to be given as soon as someone is diagnosed… There is a very limited supply globally, and India is working to ensure sufficient availability,” he said. Dr Arora stressed that minimising contact with fruit bats and other potential carriers is key to preventing infection.
What is Nipah Virus?
The Nipah virus (NiV) is a zoonotic virus, meaning it originally circulates in animals before jumping to humans. Its natural hosts are fruit bats (also known as flying foxes). Humans can become infected by eating fruit contaminated by bat saliva or urine, drinking raw date palm sap, or through close contact with infected pigs or other humans.What makes Nipah particularly concerning is its aggressive nature. Unlike a typical flu, Nipah can cause a range of severe conditions:
- Initial Symptoms: It often starts with “flu-like” signs such as fever, headache, muscle pain, and vomiting.
- Respiratory Impact: In many cases, it leads to acute respiratory infection, making it difficult for the patient to breathe.
- Neurological Crisis: In severe instances, the virus can cause encephalitis (inflammation of the brain), leading to drowsiness, disorientation, and even coma within 24 to 48 hours.
Because there is currently no specific vaccine or cure for Nipah, treatment is limited to “supportive care” (managing symptoms). This is why the World Health Organization (WHO) lists it as a priority pathogen, its high mortality rate and lack of treatment make early detection and strict border control the most effective weapons we have
Countries on alert
The confirmation of isolated cases in India has prompted heightened vigilance across parts of Asia, with several countries reviewing passenger screening procedures as a precautionary public health measure. In India, health checks at international departure points have been strengthened to identify symptomatic travellers before boarding.International health agencies have stressed that the situation is being closely monitored and remains contained, with surveillance and contact tracing helping prevent wider spread. Officials continue to emphasise vigilance rather than alarm.
Could the UAE get Nipah?
There have been no confirmed cases of Nipah virus in the UAE, and health authorities say the risk remains low. Nevertheless, the UAE’s healthcare system has activated standard monitoring protocols in coordination with major airports.The UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP) is working with aviation authorities to ensure travellers arriving from regions reporting cases are screened for symptoms such as fever, respiratory distress or neurological signs.Experts note that Nipah does not spread easily, unlike respiratory viruses such as COVID-19, and typically requires prolonged close contact. Preventive screening is therefore a precaution, not a response to any detected spread.For the general public in the UAE, the impact is minimal beyond staying informed. Travellers returning from areas reporting Nipah cases are advised to monitor their health for up to 14 days and seek medical attention if symptoms such as fever, headache or breathing difficulties develop.Health authorities stress that following official advisories, practising good hygiene and reporting symptoms early remain the most effective safeguards. With early detection and transparent communication, officials say the risk of local transmission remains extremely low.
