An outbreak of the Nipah virus, a rare but extremely lethal infection with a fatality rate of 40–75%, has placed several Asian countries on high alert. The virus has no approved cure or vaccine, prompting renewed health screenings at airports reminiscent of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Outbreak raises international concern
India has confirmed multiple Nipah virus infections, leading authorities across Asia to step up preventive measures. The alarm was raised in early January after five cases were confirmed in West Bengal, eastern India.
According to reports, two of the infected individuals were nurses working at the same private hospital. Narayan Swaroop Nigam, Principal Secretary of India’s Health and Family Welfare Department, said: “Two nurses at a private hospital are infected with the Nipah virus, and one of them is in critical condition.”
The two nurses worked together between December 28 and 30 and both fell ill shortly afterward. They were admitted to intensive care on January 4. As of January 26, approximately 100 people had been placed under quarantine, as health officials attempted to contain further spread.
In response to the confirmed cases, Thailand, Nepal, and Taiwan have increased health surveillance at airports. Measures include temperature checks, mask use, and physical distancing, mirroring protocols widely used during the COVID-19 pandemic.
What are the symptoms of the Nipah virus?
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Nipah virus infection often begins with sudden flu-like symptoms, which may include:
Fever
Headache
Muscle pain
Fatigue
Some patients also develop respiratory symptoms, such as cough, shortness of breath, or pneumonia, which can worsen rapidly.
The most dangerous and often fatal complication is encephalitis—a swelling of the brain. This can lead to severe neurological symptoms, including:
Confusion or disorientation
Altered consciousness
Seizures
Coma
The incubation period—the time between exposure and symptom onset—typically ranges from 4 to 21 days, although neurological symptoms may appear days or even weeks after initial illness.
What is the Nipah virus and how does it spread?
The Nipah virus is a zoonotic virus, meaning it is transmitted from animals to humans. Its natural hosts are fruit bats, and outbreaks have also been linked to infected pigs.
Humans can contract the virus through:
Direct contact with infected animals
Consumption of food contaminated by bats (such as raw date palm sap)
Person-to-person transmission, particularly through close contact with bodily fluids
Unlike COVID-19—which had a global mortality rate of around 3.4%—the World Health Organization (WHO) estimates Nipah virus fatality rates to be between 40% and 75%, making it one of the deadliest known viral infections.
Crucially, there are no approved vaccines or antiviral treatments for Nipah virus in either humans or animals. Medical care is limited to supportive treatment, such as managing respiratory failure and neurological complications.
Why health authorities are taking it seriously
While Nipah virus outbreaks are usually localized, its high mortality rate, ability to spread between people, and lack of treatment make it a major global health concern. Public-health experts warn that early detection, isolation, and strict infection-control measures are essential to preventing wider outbreaks.
Authorities stress that airport screenings are precautionary, but they reflect growing concern that even small clusters of Nipah cases can escalate rapidly if not contained.
