The World Health Organization (WHO) on Friday said the recent Nipah virus cases reported in India pose a low risk and do not require any travel restrictions.
World Health Organisation, South East Asia, says, "After two nurses in West Bengal, India, tested positive for Nipah virus infection, the central and state government health agencies have enhanced surveillance, laboratory testing, and field investigations. 196 contact persons… pic.twitter.com/gky2wBwj9L
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The statement came after India confirmed two cases of Nipah virus infection in the state of West Bengal.
India confirmed two cases of Nipah virus
India has confirmed two Nipah virus cases involving a 25-year-old woman and a 25-year-old man. Both are nurses working at the same private hospital in Barasat, located in the North 24 Parganas district of West Bengal.
The two nurses developed early symptoms in the last week of December 2025. Soon after, their condition worsened and led to neurological complications. As a precaution, health authorities placed both patients in isolation in early January.
On January 11, the Viral Research and Diagnostic Laboratory at a government hospital in Kalyani first identified the cases as suspected Nipah virus infections. Two days later, on January 13, the National Institute for Virology (NIV) in Pune confirmed the diagnosis.
WHO flags Nipah virus as ‘low risk.’
In an update shared on its website, WHO said there is no sign of increased human-to-human transmission. As a result, the agency said the national, regional, and global risk remains low.
WHO said that both cases are limited to the North 24 Parganas district. In addition, the patients did not travel while they were showing symptoms.
“The likelihood of spread to other Indian states or internationally is considered low,” WHO said. Therefore, the agency does not recommend any travel or trade restrictions.
What is Nipah virus?
Nipah virus is a zoonotic disease that spreads from animals to humans. Most often, fruit bats transmit the virus through contaminated food or close contact.
At present, no approved vaccine or specific treatment exists for the Nipah virus. Because of this, health experts stress the need for early detection, supportive care, and strict infection prevention measures.
Symptoms of Nipah virus
In the early stage, Nipah virus infection can cause fever, headache, and muscle pain. These symptoms are common and are often mistaken for other illnesses.
However, severe cases can lead to swelling of the brain, breathing problems, and seizures. In some patients, the illness may progress quickly and result in coma within days.
Nipah outbreaks in India
This is the seventh recorded Nipah outbreak in India and the third in West Bengal. Earlier outbreaks in the state were reported in Siliguri in 2001 and Nadia in 2007.
The affected districts share borders with Bangladesh, where Nipah virus outbreaks are reported almost every year.
According to WHO, the death rate from the Nipah virus ranges between 40% and 75%. While most survivors recover fully, some patients may experience long-term neurological problems.
Currently, no approved vaccines or treatments are available. However, researchers are testing several options, including a vaccine developed by scientists at Oxford University who also worked on a COVID-19 vaccine.
WHO guidelines
WHO has stressed the importance of infection prevention and control in healthcare settings, along with increasing public awareness to reduce the risk of infection.
- Reducing bat-to-human transmission by preventing bats from accessing date palm sap, boiling freshly collected sap, washing and peeling fruits thoroughly, discarding fruits with signs of bat bites, and avoiding areas where bats roost.
- Reducing animal-to-human transmission by wearing protective clothing and gloves when handling sick animals or during slaughtering and culling.
- Reducing human-to-human transmission by avoiding unprotected close contact with infected individuals and practicing regular hand hygiene.
- Strengthening infection control in health-care settings, including adequate ventilation, risk assessment, and the use of appropriate personal protective equipment when caring for suspected or confirmed cases.
WHO continues to work closely with national and state health authorities in India to support risk assessment, surveillance, and outbreak response efforts.
