Nipah Virus Infection

On 27 January 2026 India confirmed two cases of Nipah virus infection in West Bengal. Both are 25-year-old health care workers at a hospital North 24 Parganas district. The two cases were confirmed at the National Institute for Virology in Pune.
A total of 196 contact persons linked to the confirmed cases have been identified, traced, monitored, and tested. All contact persons have been found asymptomatic and have tested negative for Nipah virus. No additional Nipah case has been detected so far.
Prompt and comprehensive public health measures in accordance with established protocols have been initiated – including enhanced surveillance, laboratory testing, and field investigations by Central and State health agencies. The situation is being monitored.
WHO assesses the risk from the event to be low at regional and global levels. WHO does not recommend any travel or trade restrictions based on the currently available information.
Nipah virus is a zoonotic disease transmitted mainly from bats to humans, sometimes through contaminated food or close contact. With no licensed vaccine or treatment currently available, early detection, supportive care, and strong infection prevention measures remain essential.

Disease Outbreak News: Nipah virus infection - India