Several Asian countries have tightened health checks at airports after reports of Nipah virus infections in India. The move comes as authorities try to prevent the spread of the deadly virus across borders.

Airports in Thailand, Nepal, and Taiwan have brought back Covid-era safety steps. These include monitoring passengers and increasing surveillance. In China, the situation is being closely watched ahead of the Lunar New Year travel rush, when millions are expected to travel.

Is there Nipah outbreak in India?

The current outbreak in India was first reported after five health workers in West Bengal tested positive following the death of a person from an unknown illness.

AIIMS Bilaspur president Narendra Kumar Arora told ANI that investigations are ongoing.

“The current outbreak in India was first reported among five health workers in West Bengal after a person died of an unknown disease. An ongoing investigation is now underway into another 100 to 200 people who have been exposed," he said.

What Is the Nipah Virus?

Nipah virus is a rare but very dangerous disease that spreads from animals to humans. It can also spread between people. The virus was first identified in 1998–99 in Malaysia and is named after the village of Sungai Nipah.

Since then, most outbreaks have occurred in South and Southeast Asia, especially in India and Bangladesh. In India, Kerala has reported multiple Nipah outbreaks in the past.

Fruit bats, also called Pteropus bats, are the natural carriers of the virus. They do not fall sick but spread the virus through their saliva, urine, and droppings.

How does Nipah spread?

Humans can get infected by:

  • Eating fruits partly eaten or contaminated by bats

  • Drinking raw date palm sap

  • Coming into contact with infected animals like pigs

The virus can also spread from person to person through close contact, body fluids, or respiratory droplets. Because of this, family members and healthcare workers face a higher risk during outbreaks.

Hospitals can become hotspots if strict safety rules are not followed.

What are the symptoms?

Symptoms usually appear 5 to 14 days after exposure.

Early symptoms include:

  • Fever

  • Headache

  • Muscle pain

  • Vomiting

  • Sore throat

Severe symptoms include:

  • Dizziness

  • Drowsiness

  • Confusion

  • Seizures

  • Brain swelling (encephalitis)

  • Coma

Some patients can become seriously ill within 24 to 48 hours.

How deadly is Nipah?

  • Fatality rate ranges between 40% and 75%, depending on the outbreak

  • Survivors may suffer long-term brain-related problems

  • In some cases, the illness can return months or even years later

Is there a cure or vaccine?

There is no cure and no approved vaccine for Nipah virus.

Treatment focuses only on supportive care, such as:

  • Intensive care

  • Ventilator support if breathing is affected

  • Treatment for brain swelling

  • Close medical monitoring

Dr Arora said treatment options are limited.

“There is currently no vaccine available for this virus, and Monoclonal antibodies are to be given as soon as someone is diagnosed with Nipah virus infection. There is a very limited supply of these monoclonal antibodies globally," he said.

Can Nipah be prevented?

Health experts say simple precautions can reduce risk:

  • Do not eat fallen or partially eaten fruits

  • Avoid drinking raw date palm sap

  • Wash fruits thoroughly

  • Avoid close contact with sick people during outbreaks

Healthcare workers are advised to strictly use PPE, including gloves, masks, and gowns.

Kerala, West Bengal are endemic zones

Dr Arora warned that Kerala and West Bengal remain high-risk areas for Nipah.

“Nipah virus is a zoonotic disease. These sporadic outbreaks have occurred in both Kerala and West Bengal. Even Bangladesh is endemic for the Nipah virus…," he told ANI.

Urging caution, he added: “But one has to be careful that in areas where these fruit bats are present, human and animal contact is kept to a minimum or avoided to prevent the disease. Both Kerala and West Bengal are endemic for this virus."