World Well being Organisation (WHO) Director-Normal Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus on Saturday cautioned that whereas Nipah virus circumstances are uncommon, the illness stays severe. He additionally mentioned that circumstances linked to the present outbreak had been confined to India, with no experiences from another nation.

“The 2 case of Nipah virus an infection reported by India in West Bengal are the third on this state because the virus was first recognized in 1998,” Ghebreyesus worte in a submit on X. He added that Indian authorities had been monitoring greater than 190 contacts and that none had developed signs to this point.

“Authorities have elevated illness surveillance and testing, carried out prevention and management measures in well being care settings, and are maintaining the general public knowledgeable about the right way to shield themselves,” he additional wrote. 

Nipah is a uncommon however severe illness.

The 2 case of Nipah virus an infection reported by India in West Bengal are the third on this state because the virus was first recognized in 1998.

No circumstances have been reported in another nation linked to this outbreak.

Indian authorities… pic.twitter.com/u0VYEerWnv

— Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus (@DrTedros) January 31, 2026

No Worldwide Unfold Detected

The WHO chief’s remarks got here a day after the worldwide well being physique mentioned the outbreak posed a “low danger” of additional unfold and that there was no want for journey or commerce restrictions. The organisation additionally said that there was no proof of elevated human-to-human transmission, maintaining the general danger evaluation low.

No circumstances linked to the outbreak have been reported outdoors India.

Standing Of Instances In West Bengal

Two circumstances of Nipah virus an infection had been earlier confirmed in West Bengal’s North 24 Parganas district, each involving nurses. Well being officers later mentioned each sufferers confirmed enchancment and examined adverse for the virus. The male nurse was discharged, whereas the feminine nurse was taken off ventilator assist and stays underneath remark.

“Each circumstances developed signs typical of extreme NiV an infection in late December 2025 and had been admitted to hospital in early January 2026. As of 21 January 2026, the second case confirmed medical enchancment, whereas the primary case remained underneath important care,” the WHO mentioned in a launch.

Nipah is a uncommon however severe illness that spreads from bats to people, usually by means of shut contact or contaminated meals, the WHO has mentioned. Signs embrace fever, muscle ache and complications, which may make early detection troublesome.

In extreme circumstances, an infection can result in swelling of the mind, with fatality charges ranging between 40 per cent and 75 per cent.