The World Health Organisation (WHO) has moved to reassure the Indian public regarding the latest Nipah virus outbreak in West Bengal, emphasizing that the risk of widespread transmission remains "low" and that there is no necessity for imposing travel or trade restrictions. This statement comes after the confirmation of two cases in the state, which have been managed through swift public health measures.
Details of the Confirmed Cases
The two cases were reported from the North 24 Parganas district, a region with a history of previous Nipah outbreaks. Both individuals are 25-year-old nurses—one woman and one man—employed at the same private hospital in Barasat. They began exhibiting initial symptoms in the final week of December 2025, which quickly escalated to neurological complications. By early January, both patients were placed in isolation to prevent further transmission.
Public Health Response and Contact Tracing
Following the confirmation of these cases, WHO highlighted that an extensive public health response was promptly activated. Health authorities successfully identified, traced, monitored, and tested a total of 196 contacts linked to the two patients. Importantly, all these contacts were asymptomatic and tested negative for Nipah virus infection. As of January 27, no additional cases have been detected, reinforcing the containment efforts.
In an update shared on its official website, WHO stated, "The likelihood of spread to other Indian states or internationally is considered low." The agency assessed the risk at the sub-national level in West Bengal as moderate, citing the presence of fruit bat reservoirs in border areas and the potential for sporadic spillover events. However, WHO clarified that the national, regional, and global risk levels remain low.
No Travel or Trade Restrictions Recommended
Based on the current evidence, WHO explicitly advised against any travel or trade restrictions, underscoring the effectiveness of the ongoing containment strategies. The national government has deployed an outbreak response team to West Bengal to collaborate closely with state authorities. Enhanced surveillance, comprehensive laboratory testing, robust infection prevention and control measures, and thorough field investigations are currently underway.
Coordinated Efforts and Historical Context
WHO praised the coordinated efforts between central and state health teams, which have enabled the timely containment of the outbreak. The agency noted that Nipah virus is a zoonotic disease primarily transmitted from bats to humans, often through contaminated food or close contact. With no licensed vaccine or treatment available at present, early detection, supportive care, and stringent infection prevention measures are deemed essential.
Historically, Nipah outbreaks in the WHO South-East Asia Region have been confined to Bangladesh and India, occurring sporadically or in small clusters. Human-to-human transmission is rare and typically limited to healthcare settings or close family contacts, with no known instances of international spread through travel. This marks the seventh documented Nipah outbreak in India and the third in West Bengal, following earlier incidents in Siliguri in 2001 and Nadia in 2007. The affected districts border Bangladesh, where Nipah outbreaks occur almost annually.
Future Prospects and Critical Care
WHO mentioned that several vaccine candidates are under development, offering hope for future prevention. However, early supportive care, including intensive treatment for severe respiratory or neurological complications, remains critical for improving survival rates. The agency's reassurance aims to alleviate public concerns while maintaining vigilance through continued monitoring and response efforts.
