Nipah Virus: Rare But Serious, Outbreak Limited to India, WHO Chief Warns
World
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News18•01-02-2026, 10:37
Nipah Virus: Rare But Serious, Outbreak Limited to India, WHO Chief Warns
- •WHO Director Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus stated Nipah cases are rare but serious, with the current outbreak limited to India.
- •Two cases reported in West Bengal mark the state's third outbreak since 1998; Indian authorities are monitoring over 190 contacts.
- •Surveillance, testing, and prevention measures are heightened in India, with public awareness campaigns underway.
- •WHO assesses the risk of spread as low, with no evidence of increased human-to-human transmission, and no travel or trade restrictions needed.
- •Nipah spreads from bats to humans via close contact or contaminated food, causing severe symptoms and a high death rate (40-75%).
Why It Matters: Nipah virus is rare but serious, with the current outbreak contained in India and a low risk of wider spread.
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