WHO reports on recent Nipah virus infections in India

The World Health Organization (WHO) released a statement on its website on January 30 local time, reporting on recent Nipah virus infections in India.

According to the statement, on January 26, Indian authorities reported to WHO two laboratory-confirmed cases of Nipah virus infection in West Bengal. No additional cases have been identified.

Both cases involve healthcare workers at the same private hospital in Barasat, North 24 Parganas district. As of January 21, one patient remains on mechanical ventilation, while the other experienced severe neurological illness but has since improved.

Following the two confirmed cases, Indian health authorities identified and tested over 190 contact persons, including health and care workers and community contacts. All samples from contact persons tested negative for NiV.

The Indian National Centre for Disease Control announced on January 27 that no further confirmed cases have been detected in West Bengal since December 2025.

Currently, there are no licensed medicines or vaccines for Nipah virus infection. However, early supportive care can improve survival.

WHO assesses the risk posed by Nipah virus as moderate at the sub-national level and low at the national, regional and global levels.