Kamal Ghorui
India has stepped up precautionary health surveillance for the Nipah virus after two confirmed cases were reported in West Bengal, with health authorities stressing that the situation remains contained and under close monitoring, and that there is no evidence of wider transmission at this stage.
Nipah virus in India
According to the Indian Ministry of Health & Family Welfare and the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), only 2 confirmed Nipah virus cases have been reported in West Bengal since December 2025. A total of 196 contacts linked to these cases were traced, monitored and tested, all of whom were found asymptomatic.According to ANI, Dr Narender Kumar Arora, President of AIIMS Bilaspur, said that the Nipah virus is highly infectious and can be fatal, with a mortality rate ranging from 40% to 75% based on previous outbreaks. He noted that there is currently no licensed vaccine available, and treatments such as monoclonal antibodies remain limited.Dr Arora added that Nipah is a zoonotic disease, primarily transmitted from fruit bats to humans, and emphasised that early detection, isolation, and strict contact tracing are key to preventing further transmission.
What is Nipah Virus?
The Nipah virus (NiV) is a zoonotic virus, meaning it originally circulates in animals before jumping to humans. Its natural hosts are fruit bats (also known as flying foxes). Humans can become infected by eating fruit contaminated by bat saliva or urine, drinking raw date palm sap, or through close contact with infected pigs or other humans.What makes Nipah particularly concerning is its aggressive nature. Unlike a typical flu, Nipah can cause a range of severe conditions:
- Initial Symptoms: It often starts with “flu-like” signs such as fever, headache, muscle pain, and vomiting.
- Respiratory Impact: In many cases, it leads to acute respiratory infection, making it difficult for the patient to breathe.
- Neurological Crisis: In severe instances, the virus can cause encephalitis (inflammation of the brain), leading to drowsiness, disorientation, and even coma within 24 to 48 hours.
Because there is currently no specific vaccine or cure for Nipah, treatment is limited to “supportive care” (managing symptoms). This is why the World Health Organization (WHO) lists it as a priority pathogen, its high mortality rate and lack of treatment make early detection and strict border control the most effective weapons we have
Countries on alert
The confirmation of isolated cases in India has prompted heightened vigilance across parts of Asia, with several countries reviewing passenger screening procedures as a precautionary public health measure. In India, health checks at international departure points have been strengthened to identify symptomatic travellers before boarding.International health agencies have stressed that the situation is being closely monitored and remains contained, with surveillance and contact tracing helping prevent wider spread. Officials continue to emphasise vigilance rather than alarm.
Could the UAE get Nipah?
There have been no confirmed cases of Nipah virus in the UAE, and health authorities say the risk remains low. Nevertheless, the UAE’s healthcare system has activated standard monitoring protocols in coordination with major airports.The UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP) is working with aviation authorities to ensure travellers arriving from regions reporting cases are screened for symptoms such as fever, respiratory distress or neurological signs.Experts note that Nipah does not spread easily, unlike respiratory viruses such as COVID-19, and typically requires prolonged close contact. Preventive screening is therefore a precaution, not a response to any detected spread.For the general public in the UAE, the impact is minimal beyond staying informed. Travellers returning from areas reporting Nipah cases are advised to monitor their health for up to 14 days and seek medical attention if symptoms such as fever, headache or breathing difficulties develop.Health authorities stress that following official advisories, practising good hygiene and reporting symptoms early remain the most effective safeguards. With early detection and transparent communication, officials say the risk of local transmission remains extremely low.
