Two cases of the deadly Nipah virus (NIV) has been detected in India, says the World Health Organisation (WHO) in a media release. Several public health measures have been implemented by the Indian government and local authorities in West Bengal. The Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ANC) says, Two Nipah cases among nurses had been detected at the Narayana Multispeciality Hospital in the eastern Indian state of West Bengal, since December.
Australia’s Health Minister Mark Butler says there is no need to tighten Australia’s border controls but authorities are closely monitoring the virus, reports the ABC.
“We don’t have any advice at the moment to change our existing protocols for sick travellers who arrive in Australia. There already are protocols for that, but we’ll continue to watch the situation closely,” Mr Butler said.
“There’s reason to hope that this has been contained.”
“The Nipah virus is very rare, but it’s also very deadly,” Butler told Today. “The Indian authorities tell us they’ve got that outbreak under control, but nonetheless we’re monitoring it very, very closely because this is a very serious virus.”
ABC adds: “Both are healthcare workers at the same private hospital in Barasat (North 24 Parganas district). NiV infection was confirmed at the National Institute of Virology in Pune on 13 January, 2025. One case remains on mechanical ventilation as of 21 January, the other case experienced severe neurological illness but has since improved. Authorities have identified and tested over 190 contacts, who all tested negative for NiV with support from a mobile BSL‑3 laboratory deployed by the National Institute of Virology, Pune. No further cases have been detected to date.”
“This event represents the third NiV infection outbreak reported in West Bengal (previous outbreaks reported in Siliguri in 2001 and Nadia in 2007). Enhanced surveillance and infection prevention and control (IPC) measures are in place while investigations into the source of exposure are ongoing.
“NiV infection is a serious but rare zoonotic disease transmitted to humans through infected animals (such as bats), or food contaminated with saliva, urine, and excreta of infected animals. It can also be transmitted directly from person to person through close contact with an infected person.”
“There are currently no licensed medicines or vaccines for NiV infection, however early supportive care can improve survival. WHO assesses the risk posed by Nipah to be moderate at the sub-national level, and low at the national, the regional and global levels.”
NIpah Virus
- Nipah virus is a virus found in animals but can also affect humans.
- People with infection can develop a fever, and symptoms involving the brain (such as headache or confusion), and/or the lungs (such as difficulty breathing or cough).
- Cases of Nipah virus infection were first reported in 1998 and since then have been reported in Bangladesh, India, Malaysia, Philippines and Singapore. The case fatality rate is estimated at 40% to 75%.
- Fruit bats of the Pteropodidae family are the natural host of Nipah virus. Nipah virus usually transmits from infected bats and other animals to humans and can also be transmitted directly between people.
- There is currently no treatment or vaccine available for Nipah virus, however several candidate products are under development. Early intensive supportive care can improve survival.
Source – WHO, 29 January, 2026.
