Nipah Virus: The Deadly Brain-Swelling Disease on the WHO’s Pandemic Watchlist
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A deadly virus with “pandemic potential” is raising global concerns, evoking memories of the COVID-19 crisis. This time, the threat comes from the bat-borne nipah virus, a zoonotic infection with a frighteningly high mortality rate.
Health officials are on high alert, with screenings implemented at major international airports, including Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok, Thailand, as of January 25, 2026. The current focus is on containing a recent outbreak in India, where two healthcare workers in west Bengal fell ill in late December.While one has shown betterment, the other remains in a coma, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO). Approximately 200 contacts have been traced and tested, and hospitals are bolstering infection control measures.
What is the Nipah Virus?
The Nipah virus is transmitted from animals – including bats and pigs – to humans. Fruit bats of the Pteropodidae family act as the natural reservoir, carrying the virus without exhibiting illness, and spread it through saliva, urine, and feces. The virus was first identified in 1999 following a deadly outbreak among pig farmers in Malaysia.
Initially, health officials suspected Japanese encephalitis, a mosquito-borne disease, as the cause of the pig farmers’ brain inflammation. However, the continued fatalities prompted scientists to isolate the novel virus. Transmission occurs through contact with infected animals or their environments, consumption of contaminated food, or close contact with an infected person. Contaminated raw date palm syrup has also been implicated in past outbreaks.
Outbreaks have since been reported in Bangladesh, India, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Singapore. According to one expert, “Typically, we get one or two Nipah virus outbreaks each year. There was a important one in 2023 in West Bengal as well.” Another virologist noted that the current cases “seem to be contained,” adding, “There is no evidence that there’s wider community spread and I haven’t read anything particularly worrying. There have been outbreaks of Nipah virus in the region in the past.”
Symptoms and Severity
Symptoms typically appear 3-14 days after exposure and can range from mild to severe. Initial symptoms include fever, headache, myalgia (muscle pain), nausea, vomiting, and general malaise. As the disease progresses, it can lead to encephalitis (brain inflammation) and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).
“You’ve probably got a 50% chance or more of dying,I think that’s pretty serious,” one expert stated. While initially spreading from animals to humans, the virus has demonstrated the ability to transmit between people during subsequent outbreaks.
Pandemic Potential and Global Vigilance
The Nipah virus served as inspiration for the 2011 Hollywood thriller Contagion, highlighting the potential for a bat-borne virus to trigger a global crisis. While no cases have been recorded in Ireland, and the current strain is considered to have a low potential for widespread outbreak, the possibility of mutation remains a concern.
“Its pandemic potential is very low. It’s unlikely that it would cause more widespread outbreaks,” one expert assessed. “Of course, viruses do have the potential to evolve, so I can’t guarantee that Nipah, at some point in the future, won’t evolve to be more infectious. That hasn’t happened so far and, fingers crossed, it won’t in my lifetime.” Though, thay cautioned against complacency, emphasizing the importance of continued monitoring.
travel Considerations
the recent outbreak in India coincides with a peak travel period for the Lunar New Year,raising concerns about potential spread. Airports in Thailand have begun screening passengers arriving from West bengal, and stricter screenings are being implemented at tourist attractions.
Travelers planning trips to affected countries – including Bangladesh, West Bengal, and Kerala – are advised to exercise caution. Experts recommend avoiding consumption of unpasteurized palm tree sap or fermented beverages derived from it, and ensuring fruits are properly peeled. “Outbreaks occur most years but they generally are quite small,” one expert noted. “The risk is actually very low,particularly if you’re going to touristy areas.” Another expert advised,”Avoid contact with animals – bats,pigs – or sick individuals.”
