At least 2 fresh Nipah virus cases reported in India: Bangkok, Thailand screening travellers from West Bengal

Note: The number of people infected in India has been amended from five to two. This was after India's health ministry released a statement saying only two cases have been confirmed in the state in December.

Air passengers from India are being screened on arrival in Bangkok, Thailand for possible Nipah virus infection.

The screening took effect on Jan. 25, 2026.

This was after two Nipah virus cases were reported in India's eastern state of West Bengal, according to media reports in India.

There are no vaccines or treatment for Nipah virus and fatality rates in past outbreaks ranged between 40 and 75 per cent.

What happened

Less than a week ago, two cases of Nipah virus, a rare, bat-borne pathogen, were confirmed in a hospital in India, Telegraph reported.

Both cases involved nurses, one male and one female, working at the private Narayana Multispeciality Hospital in Barasat, West Bengal, 26km from the capital city Kolkata.

One of the nurses was in critical condition and in coma, it was reported.

Thailand focusing on travellers from West Bengal

The Thai Ministry of Public Health is conducting the screening at Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang airports, focusing on travellers from West Bengal.

Those who develop symptoms such as fever, headache, muscle aches, sore throat, cough, difficulty breathing, drowsiness, confusion or seizures are to seek medical attention immediately.

This was especially so if they have had contact with bats, sick animals or an infected person within 21 days before arriving in Thailand.

Timeline

Between Dec. 31 and Jan. 2, the two nurses in West Bengal developed high fevers and respiratory distress and were admitted to the hospital’s intensive care unit on Jan. 4 after their conditions worsened.

Initial investigations suggest they caught the virus while treating a patient with severe respiratory symptoms.

The patient later died before testing could be carried out, sources at the hospital said.

The outbreak prompted the health authorities to impose quarantine and emergency surveillance and contact tracing measures in the area.

As a result of precautionary measures being taken, about 180 people were initially tested and 20 high risk contacts quarantined.

Nepal is also on heightened alert to prevent the possible entry of the Nipah virus.

Epidemic potential

Nipah virus is classified as a priority pathogen owing to its epidemic potential, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO).

Nipah virus infection in humans could lead to acute respiratory infection and fatal encephalitis.

The virus is mainly carried by fruit bats of the Pteropus species, creating a constant risk of spillover to humans through contaminated food or direct contact.

Top photo via Unsplash