Nipah Virus: All You Need to Know

Introduction

The Nipah virus cases have been confirmed in India. This infection is dangerous because of its high rate of transmission, risk of serious neurological complications. Originating in bats, the virus can pass to humans through contaminated food, infected animals or close contact with an infected person, making early detection critical. With no approved vaccine or specific treatment, prevention, rapid diagnosis, and strict infection control remain our strongest defenses¹.

India has confirmed two cases of Nipah virus in West Bengal. Both patients—25-year-old nurses working at the same private hospital in Barasat, North 24 Parganas—developed symptoms in late December 2025 that rapidly progressed to neurological complications². They were placed in isolation in early January 2026. All identified contacts have tested negative. As per news reports, suspected contacts have been traced and put in quarantine-underscoring the importance of swift action when dealing with high-risk infections like Nipah. 

Learn how the Nipah Virus or NiV spreads, the symptoms, and its treatment below:

What We Know About the Nipah Virus So Far

• It is a zoonotic virus that can cause serious neurological problems like brain fever.
• Symptoms can range from mild- to moderate and severe with a high fatality rate.
• The infection can spread from fruit bats and infected livestock animals. Once infected human to human transmission is rapid, if not isolated on time.  

Nipah Virus Symptoms

Symptoms usually show up between 4 to 14 days after being exposed to the virus³. At the start, the illness can appear within 3 to 14 days with few or more of the following symptoms.

• High fever
• Severe Headache
• Cough and sore throat
• Breathing issues
• Disorientation
• Confusion
• Muscle ache or myalgia
• Coma
• Seizures
• Vomiting

The Nipah Virus features in the WHO 2018 list of viruses that have the potential to create an epidemic or a huge health scare in the world.

History of Nipah Virus

The Nipah Virus was first found in pigs in Kampung Sungai Nipah, in Malaysia in the year 1998. This is the seventh time when India has reported Nipah Virus cases and  third occurrence in West Bengal, following Nipah virus outbreaks in Siliguri (2001) and Nadia (2007). The affected districts border Bangladesh, where Nipah outbreaks occur almost annually⁴.

What Is Nipah Virus?

Per the WHO, the NiV aka Nipah Virus disease, is a viral infection, an emerging zoonosis that can be transmitted to human beings who come in contact with infected animals. It is a deadly disease for both humans and animals. Fruit bats are this virus’s natural hosts. These bats belong to the Pteropodidae family of the Pteropus genus⁵.

In 2018, in the case of the Nipah virus in Kerala, the disease was reported to be spreading due to human-to-human transmission. The first reported case of NiV was reported in Siliguri district in the year 2001, of which of the 66 cases reported, 45 people died from the disease¹.

Transmission of Nipah Virus to Humans

Nipah virus infection can spread to humans by the following means:

• Infected Animals: Direct contact with infected bats or pigs or their body fluids (such as blood, urine or saliva). Some cases of Nipah virus infection have also been reported among people who climb trees inhabited by infected bats.
• Contaminated food and water: Contaminated water or food products that have been exposed to the body fluids of infected animals. Eg. the sap of a palm tree or fruit contaminated by an infected bat
• Human to Human: Direct exposure to a person infected with Nipah virus disease or their body fluids (including nasal or respiratory droplets, urine or blood).

Prevention of Nipah Virus

Vaccine for Nipah Virus prevention is not available yet. Following measures to reduce the risk of exposure to Nipah virus can help in reducing the spread of the virus in places with active cases³:

• Wash your hands with soap and water regularly.
• Wash fruits thoroughly after bringing home and again before consuming
• Stay away from bats.
• Protect animal feed from bats.
• Avoid exposure to sick animals, consult a veterinary doctor and follow all precautions when caring for them.
• Don’t eat or drink things that might have touched bats, like raw date palm sap, fallen fruit, or raw fruit.
• Wear protective clothing when caring for someone infected or suspected for Nipah virus
• Do not ignore symptoms of Nipah virus infection and consult a doctor immediately
• Avoid consuming food that may be contaminated with body fluids of infected birds or animals. 
• Follow isolation guidelines for anyone diagnosed with Nipah virus infection. 
• Consume safe, boiled and purified water only

These simple steps can help protect you and others from getting exposed to Nipah virus.

Nipah virus has a fatality rate between 40% and 75% depending on the strain, death rates after contracting the infection are thus very high, so prevention is the most suitable option for this disease⁵.

Dr. Ashish Bajaj ,M.B.B.S., M.D. in Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology

Diagnosis of Nipah Virus Disease

One or more of the following tests can be advised to check if someone has NiV infection:

• RT-PCR uses samples from the throat, nose, cerebrospinal fluid, urine, or blood.
• As the illness goes on and after someone gets better, antibodies can be tested for Nipah Virus.

Treatment for Nipah Virus in India

The treatment for Nipah Virus focuses on containing the fever and the neurological symptoms. Treatment should not be delayed and suspected patients must be managed under expert supervision.

Also Read: Human Papillomavirus (HPV): What Is It, Causes, Symptoms, and Prevention 

Conclusion

Nipah virus infection is a serious and potentially deadly infection that demands our attention and vigilance. While outbreaks are relatively rare, understanding the symptoms, preventive measures, and early diagnosis is crucial to curbing its spread and saving lives. Staying informed and taking necessary precautions can help protect ourselves and our communities from this formidable viral threat. 

References

1. World Health Organization. Disease Outbreak News: Nipah virus infection – India. 30 Jan 2026. Available from: https://www.who.int/emergencies/disease-outbreak-news/item/2026-DON593
2. United Nations in India. Nipah Virus Update: West Bengal, India. 29 Jan 2026. Available from: https://india.un.org/en/309174-nipah-virus-update-west-bengal-india
3. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). About Nipah Virus. Updated 23 Feb 2024. Available from: https://www.cdc.gov/nipah-virus/about/index.html
4. Kulkarni DD, Tosh C, Venkatesh G, Senthil Kumar D. Nipah virus infection: current scenario. Indian J Virol. 2013 Dec;24(3):398-408. doi: 10.1007/s13337-013-0171-y. Epub 2013 Nov 7. PMID: 24426305; PMCID: PMC3832692. Available from: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3832692/
5. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). About Nipah Virus. Updated 23 Feb 2024. Available from: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/nipah-virus

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