Nipah Virus Outbreak in West Bengal
A nurse died on February 12, 2026, in Barasat, West Bengal, marking the first fatality from the current Nipah virus outbreak in the state, which had two confirmed cases initially. As of April 13, 2026, the World Health Organization (WHO) classified the subnational risk in West Bengal as moderate, with national, regional, and global risks as low, and Singapore ceased airport and seaport screenings on February 23, 2026, due to the stabilized situation. India notified the WHO of two laboratory-confirmed Nipah virus cases on January 26, 2026, with five healthcare workers at a private hospital in Barasat eventually confirmed to have the virus. All 196 contacts of the initial two cases tested negative, and one other infected nurse has since recovered. Scientists from the Wuhan Institute of Virology identified an oral antiviral drug as a promising candidate for treatment.
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April 2026 — 1 developments
The World Health Organization has assessed the Nipah virus outbreak in West Bengal, India, classifying subnational risk as moderate and national, regional, and global risks as low.
The World Health Organization has assessed the Nipah virus outbreak in West Bengal, India, classifying subnational risk as moderate and national, regional, and global risks as low. Several countries in the region, including Thailand, Nepal, Cambodia, Indonesia, and Malaysia, have initiated precautionary measures such as public information campaigns and passenger screenings.
February 2026 — 3 developments
Singapore will cease Nipah virus temperature screenings at its airport and seaports starting February 23, 2026, as the outbreak in India has stabilized.
Singapore will cease Nipah virus temperature screenings at its airport and seaports starting February 23, 2026, as the outbreak in India has stabilized. No Nipah virus cases have been reported in Singapore related to the West Bengal outbreak or the case in Bangladesh. The Communicable Diseases Agency stated that the Nipah virus situation in West Bengal has stabilized with no new cases reported.
A nurse infected with the Nipah virus in West Bengal's Barasat has died on February 12, 2026.
A nurse infected with the Nipah virus in West Bengal's Barasat has died on February 12, 2026. This marks the first reported fatality from the current Nipah virus outbreak in the state. The other infected nurse has since recovered and been discharged.
All 196 contacts of the two confirmed Nipah virus cases in West Bengal have tested negative, according to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare in India.
All 196 contacts of the two confirmed Nipah virus cases in West Bengal have tested negative, according to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare in India. Meanwhile, Singapore has introduced new measures requiring newly arrived migrant workers who have traveled to West Bengal to undergo daily temperature checks for 14 days.
January 2026 — 15 developments
India notified the WHO of two laboratory-confirmed Nipah virus cases in West Bengal on January 26, 2…
India notified the WHO of two laboratory-confirmed Nipah virus cases in West Bengal on January 26, 2026, with infections confirmed at the National Institute of Virology on January 13, 2026. One case required mechanical ventilation, while the other experienced severe neurological illness but improved. The WHO praised India's swift response and strong surveillance measures.
Health authorities in West Bengal have confirmed five cases of the Nipah virus, affecting five healthcare workers at a private hospital in Barasat.
Health authorities in West Bengal have confirmed five cases of the Nipah virus, affecting five healthcare workers at a private hospital in Barasat. Three new infections were reported recently, in addition to two nurses who previously tested positive. Approximately 100 individuals have been placed under home quarantine, and surveillance has increased in neighboring Asian countries.
Scientists from the Wuhan Institute of Virology have identified an oral antiviral drug, originally d…
Scientists from the Wuhan Institute of Virology have identified an oral antiviral drug, originally developed for COVID-19, as a promising candidate for treating and preventing Nipah virus infections. This discovery offers a potential new avenue for combating the deadly virus, for which no vaccine or cure currently exists.
Two confirmed cases of Nipah virus disease have been reported in West Bengal, India, involving healthcare workers who had contact with each other.
Two confirmed cases of Nipah virus disease have been reported in West Bengal, India, involving healthcare workers who had contact with each other. Investigations are ongoing to determine the source of infection. A total of 196 contacts have been traced and tested, with all remaining asymptomatic.
Airport screenings have been implemented across Asia following the Nipah Virus Disease cases reported in West Bengal.
Airport screenings have been implemented across Asia following the Nipah Virus Disease cases reported in West Bengal. A nurse who had previously recovered from Nipah virus infection in West Bengal died due to cardiac arrest, with health sources indicating that the infection contributed to her deterioration. Approximately 100 people have been placed under quarantine to contain the outbreak.
Experts assess that the current Nipah outbreak in West Bengal is unlikely to cause a large internati…
Experts assess that the current Nipah outbreak in West Bengal is unlikely to cause a large international epidemic due to low human-to-human transmissibility, despite the virus's high mortality rate and lack of treatment.
Airports in several Asian countries, including Thailand, Nepal, and Taiwan, have intensified health …
Airports in several Asian countries, including Thailand, Nepal, and Taiwan, have intensified health surveillance and travel screening, reintroducing Covid-style checks for travelers following the Nipah virus outbreak in West Bengal, India.
The Nipah virus was already on China's monitor list, and Chinese experts believe its transmission capacity remains quite limited, despite the recent outbreak in West Bengal.
The Nipah virus was already on China's monitor list, and Chinese experts believe its transmission capacity remains quite limited, despite the recent outbreak in West Bengal.
Authorities intensified contact tracing, testing 180 individuals, and issued nationwide advisories.
Authorities intensified contact tracing, testing 180 individuals, and issued nationwide advisories. Bats at Kolkata's Alipore Zoo were also tested for Nipah virus to rule out infection.
West Bengal is responding to confirmed Nipah virus infections, with five cases confirmed and dozens quarantined.
West Bengal is responding to confirmed Nipah virus infections, with five cases confirmed and dozens quarantined. A 25-year-old nurse died of cardiac arrest with severe complications from the virus, following the first reported fatality of the outbreak. International health alerts were raised in Thailand and Vietnam, while India announced containment of the outbreak.
On January 13, 2026, the central government dispatched a National Joint Outbreak Response Team to We…
On January 13, 2026, the central government dispatched a National Joint Outbreak Response Team to West Bengal following the identification of two suspected Nipah virus cases at AIIMS Kalyani. Preliminary investigations suggested these cases were contracted during a work visit to Purba Bardhaman, leading to intensified surveillance in surrounding districts. By January 23, 2026, state authorities reported five confirmed cases, including a doctor, a nurse, and a health worker linked to the same private hospital where the initial infections occurred. These patients were transferred to an infectious diseases hospital in Kolkata, with one of the initial nurses in critical condition.
Barasat Medical College and Hospital has issued an alert in response to the Nipah virus scare.
Barasat Medical College and Hospital has issued an alert in response to the Nipah virus scare. Hospital authorities have posted warning messages across the campus to address public fear and confusion regarding the serious and notifiable disease.
The National Institute of Virology in Pune has confirmed Nipah virus in two samples from nurses in West Bengal, who are in critical condition and on ventilation.
The National Institute of Virology in Pune has confirmed Nipah virus in two samples from nurses in West Bengal, who are in critical condition and on ventilation. Over 120 contacts are in home isolation, and a house staff member developed a mild fever. Authorities are working to contain the outbreak, with five cases reported including a doctor and nurse, and new cases admitted to an infectious diseases hospital.
The central government has deployed a multi-disciplinary expert response team to West Bengal following the identification of two suspected Nipah virus cases in Barasat.
The central government has deployed a multi-disciplinary expert response team to West Bengal following the identification of two suspected Nipah virus cases in Barasat. These cases involve nurses who are reportedly in critical condition. Investigations are ongoing to determine the source of infection, and health authorities are on high alert due to the virus's high fatality rate.
Two nurses at a private hospital in Barasat, near Kolkata, who had cared for a patient with severe r…
Two nurses at a private hospital in Barasat, near Kolkata, who had cared for a patient with severe respiratory symptoms (the suspected index case who died before confirmation), were admitted to the intensive care unit after developing high fevers and respiratory distress.
April 2007 — 1 developments
A second Nipah virus outbreak was reported in West Bengal, specifically in the Nadia district, bordering Bangladesh.
A second Nipah virus outbreak was reported in West Bengal, specifically in the Nadia district, bordering Bangladesh. This intrafamilial outbreak involved five deaths and showed evidence of person-to-person transmission.
January 2001 — 1 developments
An outbreak of acute encephalitis, later identified as Nipah virus, occurred in Siliguri, West Benga…
An outbreak of acute encephalitis, later identified as Nipah virus, occurred in Siliguri, West Bengal, between January 31 and February 23, 2001, resulting in 66 probable cases and 45 deaths.