Nipah Virus Outbreak in West Bengal

A Nipah virus outbreak has been confirmed in India — West Bengal, India, with two initial cases detected since December and two nurses testing positive. This has led to approximately 200 contacts being quarantined and tested, though all have returned negative results. In response, several Asian countries, including Thailand, Nepal, Taiwan, Malaysia, China — Hong Kong, Singapore, and Vietnam, have implemented or reinforced airport screening measures for arrivals from India. The World Health Organization has classified Nipah as a priority pathogen due to its high fatality rate (40-75%) and lack of approved vaccines or treatments, but it has stated that the risk of international spread from the current Indian cases is low and has not recommended travel or trade curbs. Candidate vaccines, including one developed by University of Oxford, are currently undergoing Phase 2 testing in Bangladesh. The virus, primarily spread from fruit bats to humans, can also transmit person-to-person through close contact, though outbreaks are typically small and contained. Symptoms include fever, headaches, muscle pain, and can progress to acute encephalitis.