Summary
An outbreak of the Nipah virus in India's West Bengal has raised concerns in China and Southeast Asia, prompting stricter health screenings at airports. Two confirmed cases have appeared since December 2025, although all known contacts have tested negative. The Nipah virus is transmitted from animals to humans and has a high fatality rate, but it spreads slowly between people.
Key Facts
- Nipah virus cases have been confirmed in West Bengal, India, since December 2025.
- In total, 196 people came into contact with the confirmed cases, but none showed symptoms or tested positive for the virus.
- Two health workers in West Bengal were infected and are being treated in a hospital.
- The virus can spread from animals to humans and can be deadly.
- Symptoms include fever, headache, and severe brain inflammation, with a high fatality rate of 40% to 75%.
- Human-to-human spread of the virus is limited, reducing the risk of a pandemic.
- Past outbreaks occurred in Malaysia, Singapore, the Philippines, Bangladesh, and India, often linked to animal contact or contaminated food.
- India's Kerala state is considered a high-risk area for Nipah, with several deaths reported since 2018.
