Nipah Virus Outbreak In India: Asian Airports Ramp Up Screening; China Urges Heightened Vigilance

Last Updated:January 27, 2026, 12:44 IST

Airports in Thailand, Nepal and Taiwan ramp up health checks after Nipah virus cases detected in West Bengal. Dr Arora warns of high fatality and limited treatment options.

The current outbreak was first reported among 5 health workers in West Bengal. (Image: Reuters)

Airports across several Asian countries have tightened health screening measures following reports of Nipah virus infections in India, prompting renewed regional vigilance. Thailand, Nepal and Taiwan have reintroduced Covid-era style checks, including passenger monitoring and surveillance.

The outbreak has also drawn attention in China ahead of the Lunar New Year travel season, when millions are expected to travel. While Chinese experts say Nipah is difficult to transmit widely, public concern has grown due to its high fatality rate.

China’s Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has urged heightened vigilance against imported infectious diseases during the peak travel period, known as chunyun, which runs from February 2 to March 13, South China Morning Post reported.

Nipah Virus Outbreak

Five confirmed cases have been detected among health workers in West Bengal this month, news agency ANI reported, citing Dr Narendra Kumar Arora, President of AIIMS Bilaspur and Chairman of India’s Covid-19 Working Group at the National Technical Advisory Group.

Meanwhile, Indian health authorities have sought to reassure the public, saying the situation remains under control. Dr Arora noted that while Kerala and West Bengal are endemic regions, only a limited number of cases have been reported. He warned that Nipah has a high mortality rate of 40–75 per cent and that no vaccine is currently available. Monoclonal antibodies are being sourced for treatment, though supplies remain scarce.

After the outbreak in West Bengal, authorities were tracing 100 to 200 possible contacts, ANI report mentioned. Nipah virus is a zoonotic disease that can spread from animals such as bats and pigs to humans, and through close human-to-human contact. Symptoms range from fever and respiratory illness to severe encephalitis, which can be fatal. The quarantine period for close contacts is 21 days.

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