What you need to know about Nipah virus?

By Dr Utkarsh Shah
Critical Care & Internal Medicine Specialist

India is currently on alert after confirmed cases of the Nipah virus were reported in the eastern state of West Bengal. Although health authorities say the situation is contained, the highly lethal virus has drawn widespread attention due to its severity and potential for human-to-human transmission.

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What is nipah virus?

Nipah virus (NiV) is a zoonotic virus—it can spread from animals to humans and, in some situations, between humans. The natural hosts are fruit bats of the Pteropus genus, but other animals like pigs have also been involved in past outbreaks. The virus was first identified in 1999 during an outbreak among pig farmers in Malaysia and Singapore.

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Symptoms to watch for

Nipah virus infection can present a range of symptoms—from mild to severe:

• Early symptoms: high fever, headache, muscle pain, sore throat, vomiting and fatigue.
• Progressive: cough, difficulty breathing, and acute respiratory distress.
• Severe neurological disease: altered consciousness, seizures, and encephalitis (inflammation of the brain), which can progress rapidly to coma.

The incubation period is typically 4–14 days, but can occasionally be longer.

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Diagnosis & treatment

Diagnosis is made through laboratory testing of blood or other body fluids. There is no specific antiviral treatment or approved vaccine for Nipah virus as of early 2026. Treatment is primarily supportive, focusing on managing symptoms, maintaining hydration, respiratory support, and critical care for neurological complications. Research on vaccine candidates and specific therapies is ongoing globally.

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How it spreads

Transmission occurs through:

• Animal-to-human: Contact with infected bats or animals, or through food contaminated with bat saliva or urine.
• Human-to-human: Close contact with body fluids of infected patients (e.g., in families or healthcare settings).

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Advice to public:

• Avoiding contact with fruit bats, sick animals, and their secretions.
• Thoroughly washing fruits and avoiding raw date palm sap or products that may be contaminated.
• Practising hand hygiene, especially after contact with sick individuals.
• Seeking immediate medical care if symptoms develop within 14 days of exposure.

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Published in Lokmat Times, Nagpur Main, Page No. 10, Feb 05, 2026