The World Health Organization (WHO) said the risk of the Nipah virus spreading beyond India remains low after two cases were reported in the country, adding that no travel or trade restrictions are advised at this stage.
In a statement to Reuters on Friday, the global health body said India has the capacity to contain such outbreaks and stressed that there is no evidence of increased human-to-human transmission linked to the cases. “The WHO considers the risk of further spread of infection from these two cases to be low,” the organisation said in an email, noting that it is working closely with Indian health authorities.
Despite the WHO’s assessment, several Asian countries — including Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam — have tightened airport screening as a precautionary measure to prevent any potential spread. The WHO said continued surveillance remains important but did not suggest additional containment measures beyond existing protocols.
Nipah virus is a zoonotic disease carried by fruit bats and animals such as pigs, and is endemic in parts of India and neighbouring Bangladesh. Infection can cause fever and brain inflammation, with a fatality rate estimated between 40% and 75%.
The virus is transmitted to humans through contact with infected bats or consumption of fruit contaminated by bat secretions. Human-to-human transmission is possible but typically requires close and prolonged contact. Health experts say sporadic outbreaks are not uncommon and that the overall risk to the general population remains low. There is currently no specific treatment for Nipah virus, although vaccines are under development and in testing phases.
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