WHO Reports Low Risk of Nipah Virus Spreading Beyond India; No Travel Restrictions Recommended
The World Health Organization (WHO) has stated that the risk of the Nipah virus spreading beyond India remains low, following the recent confirmation of two cases in West Bengal. The global health body emphasized that the threat level is “moderate at the sub-national level” but low at the national and international levels.
In a statement issued on Friday, WHO clarified that it is not advising any travel or trade restrictions based on the current situation. The organization highlighted that the outbreak is geographically limited and that India has implemented strong public health measures to contain the virus.
The Nipah virus is a zoonotic disease transmitted from animals such as bats and pigs to humans, and can also spread through human-to-human contact. It causes symptoms similar to the flu, including fever and cold-like signs, but can escalate to severe conditions like encephalitis and myocarditis.
The WHO noted that, due to the absence of specific vaccines or antiviral treatments and the difficulty in early diagnosis, the risk at the sub-national level is considered moderate. However, India’s surveillance systems and testing capabilities have been effective in managing the outbreak.
The recent cases involve a 25-year-old woman and a 25-year-old man, both healthcare workers at a hospital in North 24 Parganas district’s Barasat. They developed symptoms in late December, which progressed to neurological complications, and are currently under isolation—one patient is recovering, while the other remains in critical condition.
Public health authorities quickly responded by identifying, tracing, and testing over 190 contacts, all of whom tested negative for the virus. The WHO acknowledged India’s experience in managing previous Nipah outbreaks, including those in Siliguri in 2001, Nadia in 2007, and Kerala in August.
Following the West Bengal cases, several countries including Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Pakistan, and Vietnam have increased airport screening measures for travelers from India, Reuters reported.