Health authorities in India confirmed two cases of the Nipah virus in January 2026. The new cases have led officials in nearby countries to monitor the spread of the disease more closely.

Since the virus was first recognized in Malaysia in 1999, global records show there have been 750 confirmed cases and 415 deaths as of December 2025. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the death rate for Nipah virus infections ranges from 40% to 75%, depending on the quality of local medical care.

Regional Response

In response to the cases in India, government officials in Malaysia and Thailand have stepped up health checks at airports. These new rules are meant to monitor travelers and stop the virus from spreading across borders.

However, Reuters reported that scientists doubt these screenings will work. This is because the virus can stay in a person’s body for a long time before symptoms appear. The scientists also noted that the virus is unlikely to spread globally.

How the Virus Spreads

The Nipah virus is a zoonotic disease, meaning it moves from animals to humans. Fruit bats are the primary source of the virus. People often get sick from food or drinks, such as raw date palm juice, that have been contaminated by the saliva or urine of infected bats.

While the virus starts in animals, it can also spread from person to person. This typically happens through close contact between an infected patient and their family members or caregivers.

Symptoms and Research

Symptoms of the infection usually begin with a fever and a headache. The illness can quickly lead to serious breathing problems and swelling of the brain, a condition called encephalitis.

There are currently no approved medicines or vaccines for the Nipah virus. Researchers are continuing to work on ways to prevent the infection. In December 2025, scientists from the University of Oxford began the second stage of human testing for a potential vaccine in Bangladesh. The team is working on the study with a local organization called the International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research.