Two confirmed cases in India revive fears over a lethal virus with no vaccine and high fatality

Airports across Asia have been placed on heightened alert after India confirmed two cases of the Nipah virus in the eastern state of West Bengal, reviving fears over one of the world’s deadliest infectious diseases.

Health authorities in Thailand, Nepal and Vietnam are among those screening incoming passengers amid concerns that the highly contagious virus could spread beyond India’s borders. The disease, which can pass from animals to humans and between people, carries a fatality rate that far exceeds many recent global outbreaks.

India’s health ministry confirmed that the two cases were detected over the past month and said swift action had prevented further spread. Officials declined to release details about the infected individuals but confirmed that nearly 200 close contacts had been traced and tested, with no additional infections identified so far.

Despite reassurances from Indian authorities, the emergence of new cases has prompted neighbouring countries to take precautionary measures. Enhanced health checks, temperature screenings and passenger declarations have been introduced at airports, while some nations have advised against nonessential travel to affected regions.

The Nipah virus is considered particularly dangerous because of how it spreads and how severe its effects can be. It is primarily transmitted to humans from animals, most commonly pigs and fruit bats, either through direct contact or exposure to bodily fluids. Once introduced into the human population, the virus can spread rapidly through close contact.

After entering the body, the virus can incubate for up to two weeks before symptoms appear. Early signs often resemble common viral illnesses, including high fever, nausea, vomiting and breathing difficulties. In many cases, the illness escalates quickly, developing into pneumonia or severe inflammation of the brain. This swelling can trigger neurological symptoms such as confusion, seizures and extreme drowsiness, often with fatal consequences.

What makes Nipah especially alarming is the absence of a vaccine or specific treatment. Medical care is limited to supportive treatment, and outcomes vary widely depending on how early the infection is detected. Fatality rates have ranged between 40% and 75% in past outbreaks, placing it among the most lethal viruses known to infect humans.

The disease was first identified in 1998 after an outbreak among pig farmers in Malaysia that claimed more than 100 lives. It was named after the village where it was first detected. Since then, cases have been recorded almost every year across parts of Asia, including repeated outbreaks in Bangladesh and periodic appearances in India.

In India, the virus has previously surfaced in both West Bengal and Kerala. A major outbreak in Kerala in 2018 resulted in at least 17 deaths, followed by additional fatalities in 2023. Health experts have linked several outbreaks to the consumption of raw date palm sap, which can be contaminated by fruit bats.

The latest cases are particularly notable because they are the first detected in West Bengal since 2007. Indian officials insist the situation is under control, stating that enhanced surveillance and rapid laboratory testing played a crucial role in containing the virus. Authorities have dismissed reports of a wider surge as inaccurate.

Nevertheless, the response beyond India’s borders underscores the seriousness with which Nipah is regarded. With global travel remaining high and no medical countermeasures available, even isolated cases are enough to trigger regional alarm.

As monitoring continues, public health officials across Asia are watching closely, aware that history has shown how quickly this virus can turn isolated infections into deadly outbreaks.