On January 30 local time, the World Health Organization (WHO) published a statement about recent Nipah virus cases in India on its website.
The announcement states that two laboratory-confirmed instances of Nipah virus infection in West Bengal were reported to WHO by Indian authorities on January 26. No new cases have been found.
Healthcare personnel at the same private hospital in Barasat, North 24 Parganas district, are involved in both occurrences. One patient is still on mechanical ventilation as of January 21; the other had a serious neurological condition but has since recovered.
Indian health authorities identified and tested more than 190 contacts, including community members and healthcare professionals, after the two confirmed cases. Every sample from those in touch proved negative for NiV.
Since December 2025, no new confirmed cases have been found in West Bengal, according to a January 27 announcement from the Indian National Center for Disease Control.
As of right now, there are no approved medications or vaccinations to treat Nipah virus infection. Early supportive care, however, can increase survival.
WHO assesses the danger presented by Nipah virus as moderate at the sub-national level and low at the national, regional and global levels.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on Recent Nipah Virus Cases in India
What did the WHO report about Nipah virus in India?
On January 30, the World Health Organization (WHO) released a statement confirming two laboratory-confirmed Nipah virus (NiV) cases in West Bengal, as reported by Indian authorities on January 26.
Where were the Nipah virus cases reported?
Both confirmed cases were linked to a private hospital in Barasat, located in North 24 Parganas district of West Bengal.
Are there any new Nipah virus cases in India?
No. According to WHO and Indian health authorities, no new Nipah virus cases have been detected following the two confirmed infections.
What is the condition of the affected patients?
One patient remains on mechanical ventilation as of January 21.
The second patient, who suffered from a severe neurological condition, has recovered.
Were healthcare workers affected by the infections?
Yes, healthcare personnel at the same private hospital were involved in both cases, prompting extensive contact tracing and testing.
How many contacts were identified and tested?
Indian health authorities identified and tested over 190 contacts, including community members and healthcare workers.
Were any contacts found positive for Nipah virus?
No. All samples tested from identified contacts were negative for Nipah virus infection.
Have any cases been reported after December 2025?
No. According to a January 27 statement by the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), no new confirmed Nipah virus cases have been reported in West Bengal since December 2025.
Is there any approved treatment or vaccine for Nipah virus?
Currently, there are no approved antiviral medications or vaccines for treating Nipah virus infection.
How is Nipah virus infection managed?
Treatment is primarily supportive, focusing on managing symptoms. Early supportive care can significantly improve survival chances.
How does WHO assess the risk of Nipah virus currently?
WHO has assessed the risk as:
Moderate at the sub-national level
Low at the national, regional, and global levels
Should the public be concerned about a Nipah outbreak?
Based on current evidence, WHO and Indian health authorities indicate no signs of ongoing transmission or outbreak, and the overall public health risk remains low.
What steps are health authorities taking?
Authorities have conducted extensive contact tracing, testing, monitoring, and continue surveillance to ensure early detection of any new cases.
What is Nipah virus?
Nipah virus (NiV) is a zoonotic virus that can spread from animals to humans and may also transmit through close human-to-human contact, particularly in healthcare settings.
How is Nipah virus transmitted?
Nipah virus can spread through:
Direct contact with infected individuals
Exposure to contaminated bodily fluids
Contact in healthcare environments without adequate protection
No evidence of widespread community transmission has been reported in this case.
Were the recent Nipah cases linked to animal exposure?
The WHO statement does not confirm any direct animal exposure related to the two cases. Investigations focused on hospital-linked transmission and contact tracing.
Why were healthcare workers closely monitored?
Healthcare workers are considered high-risk contacts due to their close and prolonged exposure to patients, which is why they were included in testing and monitoring protocols.
Has community transmission been detected?
No. Testing of community contacts did not detect any positive Nipah virus cases, indicating no community spread at this time.
What symptoms are commonly associated with Nipah virus infection?
Symptoms can include:
Fever and headache
Respiratory distress
Altered mental status or neurological symptoms
Severe cases may lead to encephalitis
Why is Nipah virus considered serious?
Nipah virus can cause severe neurological disease and has a high fatality rate in some outbreaks, which is why even limited cases trigger strict surveillance.
What does “mechanical ventilation” indicate in Nipah cases?
Mechanical ventilation is used when a patient experiences severe respiratory or neurological complications, indicating a critical condition requiring intensive care.
Why does WHO classify the risk as moderate at the sub-national level?
The localized nature of the cases, hospital linkage, and successful contact tracing lead WHO to assess a moderate risk locally, but not beyond the affected area.
Why is the national and global risk assessed as low?
There is no evidence of sustained transmission, no new cases since December 2025, and all identified contacts tested negative, keeping broader risk levels low.
How are Indian health authorities preventing further spread?
Authorities have implemented:
Rapid case detection
Isolation and clinical management
Extensive contact tracing
Laboratory testing and monitoring
Is travel restriction required due to Nipah virus?
No travel restrictions have been advised, as the risk remains localized and controlled.
Can Nipah virus outbreaks be prevented?
Early detection, infection control measures in hospitals, public awareness, and rapid response significantly reduce the risk of outbreaks.
Why is early supportive care important?
Since no specific treatment exists, early supportive care helps manage complications, reduce severity, and improve survival outcomes.
Is the situation under continuous monitoring?
Yes. WHO and Indian health agencies continue active surveillance to detect any new cases promptly.
