nipah virus for 3 February 2026

Nipah Virus Latest News

The Nipah Virus Outbreak in West Bengal, India, has raised alarm across many Asian countries, as the virus can have a fatality rate of 40% to 75% in humans. Neighboring countries, including Thailand, Malaysia, Pakistan, Singapore, and Nepal has enhanced border screening and testing for travelers coming from affected countries.

About Nipah Virus

• Nipah virus (NiV) is a zoonotic virus (it is transmitted from animals to humans) and can also be transmitted through contaminated food or directly between people.
  • Fruit bats of the Pteropodidae family are the natural hosts of Nipah virus.
• In infected people, it causes a range of illnesses from asymptomatic (subclinical) infection to acute respiratory illness and fatal encephalitis.
• The virus can also cause severe disease in animals such as pigs, resulting in significant economic losses for farmers. 
• So far, NiV outbreaks have only been described in Asia.
  • The first reported outbreak occurred in 1998–1999 and involved pig farmers in the village of Sungai Nipah (Malaysia).
  • Since then, sporadic outbreaks have been documented in Bangladesh, India, the Philippines, and Singapore.
  • NiV infection is one of the priority diseases on the World Health Organization (WHO) R&D Blueprint because of its epidemic or pandemic potential.

Nipah Virus Symptoms

• Infected people initially develop symptoms including fever, headaches, myalgia (muscle pain), vomiting and sore throat.
• This can be followed by dizziness, drowsiness, altered consciousness, and neurological signs that indicate acute encephalitis.
• Some people can also experience atypical pneumonia and severe respiratory problems, including acute respiratory distress.
• Encephalitis and seizures occur in severe cases, progressing to coma within 24 to 48 hours.
• The incubation period is believed to range from 4 to 14 days.
• The virus is considered highly fatal, with fatality rates in past outbreaks ranging from approximately 40% to 75%, depending on surveillance and care.

Nipah Virus Treatment

• There are no specifically approved treatments or vaccines available for NiV infection, either for people or animals.  
• Intensive supportive care is recommended to treat severe respiratory and neurologic complications.

 Source: NDTV