West Bengal Nipah Virus 2026: Latest Updates, Government Guidelines & What You Must Know | NewsWebFit

Nipah Virus returns in West Bengal

In January 2026, India reported two confirmed cases of Nipah virus infection in West Bengal, specifically in North 24 Parganas district, marking the state’s first Nipah outbreak since 2007. The cases were detected in late December 2025 and confirmed on 13 January 2026 by the National Institute of Virology (NIV), Pune, after initial screening at a government hospital in Kalyani.

Both patients were epidemiologically linked, meaning they were part of the same transmission chain, and authorities have stressed that no additional cases have been detected so far. The World Health Organization (WHO) and the Government of India have classified the national, regional, and global risk as low, though the sub‑national risk in West Bengal is assessed as moderate due to the presence of fruit‑bat reservoirs near the India–Bangladesh border.

What are the confirmed Nipah cases in West Bengal?

• Two Nipah virus disease (NiV) cases were reported in North 24 Parganas, West Bengal, in January 2026.
• Both cases developed symptoms in late December 2025; RT‑PCR confirmation of Nipah virus was done on 13 January 2026.
• As of 21 January 2026, the male patient was recovering, while the female patient remained in critical condition.
• The cases were hospitalised and isolated early, and there is no evidence of travel while symptomatic, which reduces the risk of spread to other states or countries.

The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) and the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) have stated that this is a small, contained cluster and not a large‑scale outbreak.

Public health response and containment measures

Following confirmation, Indian authorities activated a full‑scale outbreak‑response protocol in line with national and WHO guidelines.

Key measures include:

• Contact tracing and monitoring: A total of 196 close contacts (family members, healthcare workers, and others) were identified, traced, monitored, and tested.
• All contacts have remained symptom‑free and have tested negative for Nipah virus infection.
• The central government deployed a National Joint Outbreak Response Team to West Bengal to support the state health department.
• Enhanced surveillance, laboratory testing, and field investigations are ongoing in affected and neighboring districts.

The NCDC has also issued a CD Alert on Nipah virus, reminding clinicians to suspect Nipah in patients with fever plus altered mental status or seizures, and to report such cases immediately.​

Risk assessment: national, regional and global level

According to the WHO South‑East Asia Regional Office, the current situation is under control:

• Sub‑national (West Bengal) risk: Moderate – due to the presence of fruit‑bat reservoirs in the India–Bangladesh border region and the possibility of sporadic zoonotic spillover.
• National (India) risk: Low – because the cases are confined to one district, with no further spread detected and strong surveillance in place.
• Regional and global risk: Low – historically, Nipah outbreaks in the region have been sporadic or small clusters, and there is no known international spread through travel.

The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) and other international agencies have echoed that the risk to Europeans and global travellers remains very low, provided basic precautions are followed.​

How Nipah virus spreads: official transmission guidance

According to WHO, NCDC, and MoHFW guidelines, Nipah virus can spread in several ways:

• From animals to humans:
• Through direct contact with infected fruit bats or their bodily fluids.
• By consuming raw date palm sap contaminated with bat secretions (a known risk in parts of India and Bangladesh).
• From human to human:
• Through close contact with infected persons, especially via respiratory secretions, saliva, urine, or blood.
• Most human‑to‑human transmission occurs in healthcare settings or among family caregivers without proper infection‑control measures.

The government stresses that casual community transmission is rare, and outbreaks usually remain limited to small clusters when infection‑control practices are followed.

Symptoms of Nipah virus infection

Nipah virus infection can range from asymptomatic to severe encephalitis (brain inflammation) and even death.

Common early symptoms include:

• High fever
• Severe headache
• Muscle pain
• Nausea and vomiting
• Sore throat

As the disease progresses, patients may develop:

• Dizziness and disorientation
• Altered mental status (confusion, drowsiness)
• Seizures
• Acute respiratory distress
• In severe cases, coma and death within days to weeks.

The NCDC CD Alert advises doctors to suspect Nipah in patients with fever plus new‑onset altered mental status or seizures, especially if they live in or have visited Nipah‑affected areas.​

Government and WHO prevention guidelines for the public

Indian and international health authorities have issued clear, evidence‑based guidance to prevent Nipah infection in West Bengal and across India.

Avoid animal‑to‑human transmission

• Do not consume raw date palm sap or other raw fruit juices that may be contaminated by bats.
• Avoid contact with sick animals, especially pigs or bats, and their secretions.
• Wash fruits thoroughly and avoid eating fruits partially eaten by animals.​

Prevent human‑to‑human spread

• Isolate suspected or confirmed Nipah patients in designated healthcare facilities.
• Healthcare workers must use personal protective equipment (PPE) – gloves, masks, gowns, eye protection – when handling suspected cases.
• Family caregivers should:
• Wear masks and gloves when in close contact.
• Avoid direct contact with body fluids.
• Practice frequent handwashing with soap and water.

General hygiene and awareness

• Wash hands regularly, especially before eating and after visiting crowded places.
• Cover mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing.
• Report early: Anyone with fever plus severe headache, vomiting, confusion, or seizures should seek medical care immediately and inform doctors about possible exposure.

Treatment and prognosis

There is no specific antiviral drug approved for Nipah virus infection; treatment is mainly supportive care.

• Patients receive intensive supportive therapy, including oxygen, fluids, and management of seizures and brain swelling.
• Early diagnosis and prompt hospitalisation improve survival chances.
• Case‑fatality rates in past outbreaks have ranged from 40% to 75%, depending on the strain and healthcare access.

Research on monoclonal antibodies and vaccines is ongoing, but none are yet widely available for routine use.​

What this means for West Bengal residents
(including Kolkata and North 24 Parganas)

For people living in West Bengal, especially in North 24 Parganas, Kolkata, and nearby districts, the message from the government and WHO is:

• Stay calm but alert: The situation is contained, with no new cases reported beyond the initial cluster.
• Follow official advisories: Rely only on verified information from MoHFW, NCDC, state health department, and WHO, and avoid sharing unverified rumours on social media.
• Practice basic infection‑control measures at home, in markets, and in hospitals.

Local authorities are conducting targeted risk‑communication campaigns in affected and neighbouring districts, focusing on avoiding raw date palm sap and early reporting of symptoms.​

Conclusion

The two Nipah virus cases in West Bengal in January 2026 represent a small, contained outbreak that has been quickly identified and managed through coordinated efforts between central and state health agencies and the WHO. While the sub‑national risk in West Bengal is moderate, the national, regional, and global risk remains low, thanks to strong surveillance, contact tracing, and infection‑controlmeasures.

By following official prevention guidelines – avoiding raw date palm sap, practising good hygiene, using PPE in healthcare settings, and seeking early medical care for fever with neurological symptoms – residents of West Bengal and the rest of India can significantly reduce their risk of Nipah infection.

 

 

---

Disclaimer

This article is based on official government and WHO updates as of 31 January 2026 and is intended for general information and awareness only. It does not replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider or local health authority for personal health decisions. The situation may evolve; readers should refer to the latest advisories from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW), NCDC, and WHO for updates.

Article source list

1. United Nations India – Nipah Virus Update: West Bengal, India (29 January 2026)​
2. WHO South‑East Asia – Nipah Virus Update: West Bengal, India (29 January 2026)​
3. WHO Disease Outbreak News – Nipah virus disease – India (29 January 2026)​
4. Press Information Bureau (PIB) – Only Two Nipah Virus Disease Cases Reported in West Bengal Since Last December (19 January 2026)​
5. Australian Centre for Disease Control – Nipah virus infection in West Bengal, India (30 January 2026)​
6. NCDC CD Alert – Nipah Virus (January 2026)​
7. European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control – Nipah virus disease cases reported in West Bengal, India (28 January 2026)