Health authorities across the world are closely monitoring a small outbreak of the Nipah virus reported in India, even as no country has announced changes to border controls or travel restrictions. Indian health officials have confirmed a number of cases in West Bengal, raising concerns due to the virus’s high fatality rate and the absence of a licensed vaccine.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has assessed the international risk posed by the outbreak as low, noting that while the Nipah virus can spread from person to person, its transmission is limited when compared with highly contagious airborne diseases such as influenza and COVID-19. Based on current evidence, the global health body has advised against border closures or travel bans, stressing the importance of local containment measures instead.
Despite the WHO’s position, some Asian countries, including Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia and Hong Kong, have stepped up precautionary screening for travellers arriving from India. These measures include temperature checks and health declaration forms at airports. Public health experts, however, say such steps are mainly precautionary and offer limited effectiveness in detecting all cases, particularly during the virus’s incubation period.
In India, authorities have intensified surveillance efforts, including contact tracing, testing and isolation of suspected cases. Health officials said individuals who had close contact with confirmed patients are being monitored, while hospitals in affected areas have been placed on heightened alert to respond swiftly to any new infections. Officials maintain that there is currently no indication of widespread transmission beyond the initial cluster.
Medical experts explain that the Nipah virus is primarily transmitted from animals, particularly fruit bats, to humans, and can also spread through close contact between infected persons. Past outbreaks have recorded fatality rates ranging from 40 to 75 per cent, making the virus especially dangerous despite the limited number of cases reported so far.
Public health campaigns in India are therefore focusing on hygiene, food safety and avoiding exposure to potentially infected animals. While public concern is growing, international health authorities continue to emphasise vigilance, accurate information and rapid response rather than sweeping travel restrictions.
