Washington – The Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, has issued a caution regarding the Nipah virus, describing it as a “rare but serious disease.” He emphasized that the recent cases are confined to India, with no reports of infections from other countries.
Third Case in West Bengal Since First Detection
Dr. Tedros noted on X (formerly Twitter) that two new cases of Nipah virus infection have been reported in West Bengal, marking the third recorded instance in the state since the virus was first identified in 1998. Indian authorities are closely monitoring over 190 contacts of the patients, none of whom have developed the disease so far. He added that healthcare centers are implementing enhanced preventive and control measures, while the public is being informed about ways to stay safe.
The WHO chief’s warning comes a day after the organization said the risk of virus spread remains low, and no travel or trade restrictions are necessary. Evidence of human-to-human transmission has not been observed, keeping the overall risk minimal.
Two Infections in North 24 Parganas
The two cases were reported in North 24 Parganas district, West Bengal, involving a male and a female nurse. Both patients have shown signs of improvement. The male nurse has been discharged, while the female nurse, previously on a ventilator, has been removed from it but remains under observation. According to the WHO, both developed symptoms of severe Nipah virus infection in late December 2025 and were admitted to the hospital in early January 2026. By January 21, the second patient showed clinical improvement, while the first remained in serious condition.
Virus Transmitted from Bats
The WHO highlighted that Nipah virus is transmitted from bats to humans and can spread through close contact or contaminated food. Symptoms include fever, muscle pain, and headache, making early detection difficult. In severe cases, the virus can cause brain inflammation, with a mortality rate ranging from 40% to 75%.
