Explainer: What to know about Nipah virus after cases emerge in India
What is the Nipah virus?
The Nipah virus is a rare but deadly zoonotic disease that can spread from animals to humans and from person to person. It has a high fatality rate, ranging from 40% to 75%, depending on the healthcare system’s capacity. In past outbreaks, the fatality rate has reached up to 100%.
Initial symptoms and complications
The initial symptoms of the virus include high fever, nausea, vomiting, and respiratory problems, which can progress to pneumonia. The most serious complication is encephalitis, an inflammation of the brain, leading to neurological symptoms such as confusion, seizures, and coma.
Outbreak details in India
As of January 2026, only two confirmed cases of Nipah virus disease have been reported in West Bengal, India, between December 2025 and late January 2026. In July 2025, India confirmed four cases, including two deaths, in two districts of Kerala State in the southwest of India.
Spread and prevention
The virus spreads easily through close contact with infected individuals or animals. During outbreaks in Bangladesh and India, transmission has occurred directly from human to human. There is currently no treatment or cure for the virus, and prevention relies on strict hygiene and early detection.
Regional response
Following the emergence of cases in India, authorities in Thailand and Malaysia have stepped up airport screening measures to prevent the spread of the infection across Asia.