Kamal Ghorui
NEW DELHI: The Union health ministry on Tuesday clarified that the Nipah virus situation in West Bengal is under control, with only two confirmed cases reported since December last year, even as Thailand and Nepal tightened health screening of passengers arriving from India as a precautionary measure.The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare said reports from the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) show no additional Nipah Virus Disease cases beyond the two confirmed infections.Despite the limited case count, neighbouring countries have moved to heighten vigilance. Thailand has begun screening passengers at three international airports receiving flights from West Bengal, while Nepal has initiated checks at Kathmandu airport and major land border points with India.Nipah virus is a rare but highly fatal zoonotic infection that spreads from animals to humans and through close human contact. Naturally harboured by fruit bats (flying foxes), the virus can cause symptoms ranging from fever and respiratory illness to acute encephalitis, with a case fatality rate of 40–75%. There is no specific antiviral treatment or licensed vaccine, making early detection and strict infection control critical. The World Health Organization classifies Nipah as a priority pathogen due to its epidemic potential.Following confirmation of the two cases, the Centre, in coordination with the West Bengal government, activated comprehensive containment measures, including enhanced surveillance, laboratory testing and field investigations by central and state health teams.The ministry said 196 contacts linked to the cases were identified, traced, monitored and tested, with all found asymptomatic and negative. “These measures ensured timely containment, and no further spread has been detected,” it said.Health officials stressed that the screening measures adopted by Thailand and Nepal are precautionary, reflecting global sensitivity to Nipah’s high fatality rate rather than any escalation in India.“The situation is under constant monitoring, and all necessary public health safeguards are in place,” the ministry said, urging the public and media to rely only on verified official information and avoid speculative reports.With no fresh cases detected and all contacts testing negative, authorities maintain that India’s response has been swift and effective, even as neighbouring countries err on the side of caution to prevent cross-border risk.
