Nipah Outbreak in India Poses Low Global Risk Despite Lack of Approved Treatments

On January 26, 2026, India confirmed 2 cases of Nipah virus infection in West Bengal, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). The cases involve 25-year-old health care workers at a hospital in the North 24 Parganas district, with confirmation by the National Institute for Virology in Pune. A total of 196 contacts were linked to the cases identified, all of whom have been monitored and tested. Close contacts were asymptomatic and negative for Nipah virus, with no additional cases detected as of January 27, 2026.¹

Following the infections, public health authorities have implemented prompt containment measures, including enhanced surveillance, laboratory testing, and field investigations, and the situation continues to be closely monitored.¹

In a statement released by the WHO, both the female and male health care workers with confirmed Nipah virus developed severe symptoms beginning in late December 2025. Both individuals were admitted to the hospital in early January 2026, and as of January 21, the second case—the male individual—showed clinical improvement; however, the first case remains in critical care.¹

What is Nipah Virus?

Nipah virus is a zoonotic pathogen carried by fruit bats, with human infections typically occurring through localized exposure to infected animals or contaminated food. While human-to-human transmission is possible, it remains rare and generally requires very close contact with an individual during the acute stage of illness.¹

The typical incubation period is 3 to 14 days, but rare instances of up to 45 days have been documented. Diagnosis is achieved during the acute and convalescent phases through RT-PCR [reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction] of bodily fluids and antibody detection through ELISA [enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay].¹

Human infections of Nipah virus range from asymptomatic to life-threatening conditions like acute respiratory distress or fatal encephalitis. In the initial phase of symptom progression, patients typically experience flu-like symptoms, including fever, headaches, myalgia, vomiting, and sore throat. Neurological escalation symptoms follow, including dizziness, drowsiness, and altered consciousness, signaling the onset of acute encephalitis. Some individuals develop respiratory and severe complications such as atypical pneumonia or severe respiratory distress. In the most critical cases, encephalitis and seizures can cause a patient to lapse into a coma within 24 to 48 hours.¹

GVN Assessment

On January 30, the Global Virus Network (GVN) released a statement on the Nipah virus outbreak, stating that while the 2 cases are very concerning and serious, they are not unexpected or unprecedented. Nipah virus infections occur sporadically and are seen almost every year in parts of South Asia, specifically in India and Bangladesh. Because these outbreaks follow a known pattern, they do not signify a new or growing threat to global health.²

“Overall, the risk of regional or global spread of Nipah virus is very low,” Linfa Wang, PhD, director of the GVN Center of Excellence at Duke-NUS Medical School in Singapore, said in a news release. “Similar outbreaks have occurred repeatedly in India and Bangladesh, driven largely by specific cultural and environmental factors rather than sustained human transmission.”²

Although there are currently no approved vaccines or antivirals for the Nipah virus, several promising candidates have demonstrated effectiveness in animal trials. Wang emphasized that further advancement relies on consistent public funding and global collaboration.²

REFERENCES

1. Nipah virus infection – India. News release. World Health Organization. January 30, 2026. Accessed February 4, 2026. https://www.who.int/emergencies/disease-outbreak-news/item/2026-DON593

2. Global Virus Network statement on Nipah virus outbreak. News release. EurekAlert. January 30, 2026. Accessed February 4, 2026. https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1114716