Why is India’s Nipah virus outbreak spooking the world?

The virus spreads from animals to humans, via person-to-person contact or through consuming contaminated food.

Save

An outbreak of the Nipah virus in India’s eastern state of West Bengal has heightened concerns in China and several Southeast Asian countries, prompting them to tighten health screening operations at airports as millions prepare to travel for the Lunar New Year holiday.

Since December 2025, two confirmed cases of the virus have been reported in West Bengal, India’s health ministry said on Wednesday.

Why is India’s Nipah virus outbreak spooking the world?

Other newsrooms on this story

Related reading

Nipah virus: What it is, where it is found and how it spreads

What is Nipah virus? Key things to know about the disease amid cases in India

India contains Nipah virus outbreak, some Asian countries tighten health…

India says it has contained Nipah virus outbreak as some Asian countries ramp…

What is the Nipah virus and is it spreading in southern India?

WHO sees low risk of Nipah virus spreading beyond India