Nipah Virus: Far More Lethal Than COVID, Global Alert Issued After Cases Found in India

The discovery of two Nipah virus (NiV) cases in West Bengal, India, has triggered global concern, with countries from Pakistan and China to Thailand, Singapore, and Australia issuing alerts and tightening health screening at airports. The Indian Ministry of Health confirmed that in December 2025, two individuals in West Bengal tested positive for Nipah virus. Contact tracing tested 196 people, all of whom were found negative for the infection. Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely.

Global Response:
Australia’s Health Minister Mark Butler stated on Friday that the government is closely monitoring the outbreak in Asia. “Nipah virus has never been reported in Australia, but following the two cases in India last December, the situation is being taken very seriously,” he told Nine Network television.

Indonesia has also heightened surveillance; officials at Bali’s I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport have begun strict monitoring of incoming international travelers, a popular destination for Australian tourists.

What is Nipah Virus?
Nipah virus is a zoonotic disease, meaning it spreads from animals to humans, though human-to-human transmission is rare and occurs only in limited cases. The World Health Organization (WHO) classifies NiV as a priority pathogen due to its epidemic potential and severity. According to Dr. Kaja Abbas, Associate Professor of Infectious Disease Epidemiology and Dynamics at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine and Nagasaki University, “Nipah causes severe respiratory and neurological illness in humans. Symptoms start with fever and headache and can progress to acute encephalitis (brain inflammation) in serious cases.”

Symptoms and Fatality:
Symptoms typically appear within 24–48 hours of infection, and severe cases may progress to coma. The virus has a high mortality rate, ranging from 40% to 75%. Its basic reproduction number (R₀)—the expected number of secondary infections from a single case—is generally below 1, indicating that human-to-human transmission is limited and large-scale outbreaks are unlikely.

History of Nipah Virus:
The virus was first identified in 1998 among pig farmers in Malaysia and later in Singapore after infected pigs were imported from Malaysia. Subsequent outbreaks were recorded in India and Bangladesh in 2001, with sporadic cases in Bangladesh every year since. The Philippines reported an outbreak in 2014, linked to consumption of meat from infected horses.

Nipah Virus in India:
In India, the first confirmed cases were reported in West Bengal in 2007, followed by an outbreak in Siliguri in 2001. WHO reports indicate that many Siliguri cases occurred in a healthcare facility, affecting hospital staff and visitors. In 2018, dozens of deaths occurred in Kerala due to NiV. The virus is believed to spread through bat saliva and urine contaminating fruits, as well as direct contact with infected individuals.

Why the World is Alert:
Nipah virus is far more lethal than COVID-19, and even limited outbreaks demand serious monitoring due to its high fatality rate. Governments and health authorities worldwide are taking preventive measures to contain potential transmission and protect public health.