Nipah Virus Infection - West Bengal State, India (2026) Questions and answers

Overview

Following the notification of two laboratory‑confirmed cases of Nipah virus (NiV) infection in West Bengal State, to WHO by the National IHR Focal Point for India, the WHO South‑East Asia Regional Office (SEARO) conducted a webinar on 4 February 2026 (available from: Nipah Webinar 2026]). The objective of the webinar was to provide an update on the epidemiology, clinical management, and the public health response initiated by health authorities in India.

After the webinar, there was renewed interest in several aspects of the disease, leading participants to raise several technical questions to WHO. This document provides a summary of the responses prepared by the WHO Health Emergencies Programme (WHE), SEARO, to the key questions submitted by webinar participants.

Disclaimer:

Current evidence on Nipah virus infection is based on a limited number of case series (detailed reports of small groups of patients). With respect to medical countermeasures and public health interventions, the lack of higher‑level, hierarchical evidence has limited the ability to make specific therapeutic recommendations. The overall quality of evidence related to Nipah virus infection is constrained by above mentioned factors. Additionally, as new clinical and epidemiological data emerge over time, current information may evolve and require updating to reflect the most recent findings.

While WHO has used its best efforts in preparing this document pertaining to questions and answers related to Nipah virus infection, it makes no representations or warranties regarding the accuracy or completeness of the contents. The advice and strategies contained herein may require adaptation to the specific context in which they are applied.

Users are encouraged to make use of existing national mechanisms, where appropriate, to ensure that the relevant strategies, recommendations, and guidance are appropriately adapted for the prevention and control of Nipah virus infection in their respective settings. WHO has published the WHO South-East Asia Regional Strategy for the prevention and control of Nipah virus infection 2023–2030 to guide its Member States.