Nipah virus outbreak

TL;DR:

India confirmed two Nipah cases since December, linked contacts tested negative.
Airports in Thailand and others began thermal screening of arrivals from Kolkata.
China reported no cases, but warned of import risk before Lunar New Year travel.
Some media reported higher case counts, but India’s Health Ministry refuted them.
No vaccine exists, fatality rates are high, and hospital exposure is a risk.

On 27 January 2026, India’s Ministry of Health and Family Welfare stated that only two Nipah virus disease cases have been detected in West Bengal since December 2025. Officials said 196 contacts were traced, remained asymptomatic, and tested negative. The government cautioned against “speculative and incorrect figures” circulating in media.

On 28 January 2026, the Associated Press reported that authorities consider the cluster contained, adding that public health surveillance continues.

Regional reactions followed. Thailand began screening passengers arriving from Kolkata with temperature checks and health declarations, and said no passengers screened so far have tested positive. Several other Asian countries intensified entry screening as well.

China’s national disease control authority said on 27 January there were no Nipah cases detected domestically, but flagged a risk of imported infections amid large holiday travel flows.

The numbers, and a note on conflicting reports

Some outlets reported more than two cases in West Bengal. India’s central government says only two have been confirmed since December, and that all close contacts tested negative. When numbers diverge, the best course is to anchor to official line lists and corrections. For now, two confirmed cases is the government position, while international screening measures are precautionary.

Where and when

Location: West Bengal, India, with attention on Kolkata due to travel links. Screening expanded at airports across parts of Asia.
Key dates: First case identified in December 2025, second in January 2026. Public clarification from India was issued on 27 January 2026. Regional screening intensified between 25 and 28 January 2026.

What is Nipah virus

Nipah virus is a zoonotic paramyxovirus carried by fruit bats. It can spill over to humans directly, through contaminated food like raw date palm sap, or via intermediate animals such as pigs. Person to person transmission can occur, including in health care settings. There is no licensed vaccine or specific antiviral. Supportive care is the mainstay.

Case fatality rates in past outbreaks have ranged roughly from 40 percent to 75 percent, depending on the setting and care access. These figures, cited by WHO and public health agencies, explain why even small clusters trigger outsized responses.

How this affects travelers and businesses

Inbound and outbound screening: Thailand and other Asian hubs have brought back thermal scanners and health declarations for arrivals from Kolkata. Travelers should expect minor delays and cooperate with questionnaires.
No China cases, but vigilance: China reported zero confirmed cases as of 27 January, but border monitoring has been reinforced because of cross-border travel ahead of Lunar New Year.
Trip planning: There are no broad travel bans. However, if your itinerary touches West Bengal, monitor advisories and avoid raw date palm sap or fruit possibly contaminated by bats. Health systems advise good hand hygiene and prompt care if symptoms appear.

Background you need to follow the story

India has seen repeated Nipah activity over two decades. Early outbreaks occurred in West Bengal in 2001 and 2007. More recently, Kerala reported outbreaks in 2018 and intermittent clusters afterward. Globally, Bangladesh records seasonal cases tied to raw date palm sap from November to March. This seasonality means January and February are months to watch.

In January 2026, India’s National Centre for Disease Control published a technical alert summarizing global totals since the virus was discovered, and reminding state programs to strengthen surveillance, infection control, and risk communication during the winter-spring window.

What to watch next

Official case updates: India’s Health Ministry and the West Bengal health department will be the primary sources for any additional confirmed cases or negative follow-ups on contacts.
Hospital infection control: Past events show that health care exposures can amplify spread. Authorities say hospital precautions have been reinforced. Watch for any reports of health worker infections.
International travel measures: Entry screening could expand or wind down based on risk assessments. Follow airline and airport notices.
Bangladesh season: Bangladesh often sees cases through March, which can influence regional risk perception and media coverage even if events are unrelated to India’s cluster.

Symptoms and when to seek care

Nipah typically begins with fever and headache. Some patients develop acute respiratory distress or encephalitis, which can progress quickly.

Common early signs include fever, headache, muscle pain, sore throat, and fatigue. Severe disease can include confusion, seizures, and coma. Incubation is usually 5 to 14 days, but can be longer. If you have exposure concerns and any symptoms, seek medical care immediately and mention potential Nipah exposure.

Quick checklist for travelers and families

Situation	Action
Travelled from or through West Bengal since December 2025 and feel unwell	Seek medical care at once, disclose travel and contacts
Visiting South Asia Jan–Mar	Avoid raw date palm sap and fruit possibly contaminated by bats
Caring for a sick person with fever and confusion	Use masks and hand hygiene, avoid direct contact with body fluids, seek care
Visiting farms or animal markets	Avoid contact with pigs and bats, wash hands after any animal contact
No symptoms but anxious	Monitor official advisories, practice standard hygiene, no special testing needed unless directed

Guidance draws on national public health advisories and agency blogs summarizing known transmission routes and prevention advice.

Why it matters

Even a two-case cluster can prompt region-wide screening because Nipah has a high fatality rate and can spread in hospitals. Clear official communication helps counter rumor-driven figures that can affect travel, trade, and public behavior. For readers, the practical takeaways are simple: follow hygiene basics, avoid high-risk foods, and rely on official updates for case counts rather than social media.

What happens next

If no new cases are confirmed and contacts remain well through their monitoring period, current measures will likely scale down. If new cases appear, expect rapid containment steps such as isolation, ring surveillance, and temporary restrictions on high-risk exposures, especially in hospitals. Cross-border screening may persist while the Bangladesh season continues through March.

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