NEW DELHI- 28 Jan 2026 (GDM) A fresh outbreak of the deadly Nipah virus in India has raised concerns among international health authorities, as officials monitor the risk of cross-border spread amid heavy travel flows between South Asia and the Middle East.
India has confirmed multiple Nipah virus (NiV) cases in the southern state of Kerala, with a small number of fatalities reported in the Malappuram and Kozhikode districts. Health authorities have stepped up surveillance and containment measures as they work to limit further transmission of the virus, which is known for its high mortality rate.
Nipah is a zoonotic virus, meaning it can spread from animals to humans, most commonly from fruit bats. It can also be transmitted through close contact between people. The World Health Organization estimates the virus’s fatality rate at between 40 and 75 percent, depending on the outbreak and the public health response.
Authorities have also reported cases in the eastern Indian state of West Bengal, where at least five infections have been confirmed. Around 100 close contacts have been placed under quarantine, including healthcare workers such as nurses and a doctor who may have been exposed while treating a patient whose illness was confirmed only later. Officials say contact tracing and isolation remain key to preventing wider spread.
The virus typically begins with flu-like symptoms including fever, headache, muscle pain and vomiting. In many cases it progresses to acute respiratory infection, while severe infections can cause encephalitis, an inflammation of the brain that may lead to disorientation, drowsiness and coma within 24 to 48 hours. There is currently no approved vaccine or specific antiviral treatment for Nipah, and medical care is limited to managing symptoms.
The outbreak has prompted heightened vigilance across the region. Airports in several Asian countries, including Singapore and Thailand, have tightened passenger screening procedures. In India, fever clinics have been set up at international departure terminals to identify potential cases before travellers board flights.
International health agencies say the outbreak remains under control, pointing to the rapid isolation of infected individuals and the monitoring of more than 1,200 high-risk contacts. They stress that early detection and swift public health measures are crucial in limiting the virus’s spread.
In the United Arab Emirates, authorities say there have been no confirmed cases of Nipah so far in 2026. However, health and aviation officials have reactivated monitoring protocols at major airports, screening passengers arriving from affected regions for symptoms such as high fever, respiratory distress or neurological signs.
Health experts emphasise that the risk to the general public remains low, as Nipah does not spread easily without close contact with infected bodily fluids. Most screening measures are precautionary, and there is no evidence at present that the virus has spread beyond India.