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Colorized transmission electron micrograph of mature extracellular Nipah virus particles (red) near the periphery of an infected VERO cell (blue). Image captured at the NIAID Integrated Research Facility in Fort Detrick, Maryland. Credit NIAID

 

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What is the Nipah virus outbreak in India and why is it taken seriously

Raphael Bosano

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1769419672521colorized.jpg" style="width:960px;display:block;height:auto" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Colorized transmission electron micrograph of mature extracellular Nipah virus particles (red) near the periphery of an infected VERO cell (blue). Image captured at the NIAID Integrated Research Facility in Fort Detrick, Maryland. <em>Credit: NIAID</em></span></span></span>MANILA — The Nipah virus outbreak in West Bengal, India just a couple of days ago has once again put the disease on the public health radar. </div><p>While the number of confirmed cases has been relatively small, said to be among five health workers, health authorities have still placed around 100 people under quarantine to prevent further spread.</p><p>Several countries in Asia responded quickly. Thailand issued alerts, while Taiwan is mulling to classify Nipah as a Category 5 disease. These are said to be rare infections that pose a serious risk to public health.</p><div> </div><div><strong>What is the Nipah virus?</strong></div><p>The Nipah virus is a zoonotic disease. This means it is transmitted from animals to humans. According to the World Health Organization, It was first identified in 1999 during an outbreak in Malaysia and Singapore. The virus is naturally carried by fruit bats, which serve as its primary host.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/spotlight/09/22/23/nipah-virus-what-you-should-know">Nipah virus: What you should know</a></div><p>But the world body says it can also infect other animals.</p><p>“Outbreaks of the Nipah virus in pigs and other domestic animals such as horses, goats, sheep, cats and dogs were first reported during the initial Malaysian outbreak in 1999. The virus is highly contagious in pigs. Pigs are infectious during the incubation period, which lasts from 4 to 14 days,” reads the WHO website.</p><p>Human infections are possible through direct contact with infected animals particularly in consuming contaminated food.</p><p>The virus is not new to the Philippines, according to the Department of Health. Health Spokesperson Albert Domingo, in an interview with ABS-CBN News, said cases of the Nipah virus were recorded in Mindanao back in 2014.</p><p>“Sa Sultan Kudarat. Ang nakita natin doon is yung mga tao na nahawa ay kumain ng laman ng kabayo. So kaya siya tinawag na zoonotic at tumatawid siya mula sa isang hayo papunta sa tao,” he said.</p><div> </div><div><strong>Symptoms to watch out for</strong></div><p>Early symptoms of Nipah virus infection can look like common illnesses, which makes detection difficult. </p><p>These include fever, headache, sore throat, cough and difficulty breathing. But what makes Nipah especially dangerous is its ability to cause encephalitis, or swelling of the brain. This can lead to confusion, seizures, coma, long-term neurological damage and worse, death.</p><p>Domingo warns that the fatality rate of Nipah virus is extremely high.</p><p>“Ang nakita ng mga scientifico, ng mga dulubasa sa buong mundo, malaki yung range mula 40 percent hanggang 75 percent yung ating mortality rate na nakikita sa Henipa.”</p><div> <a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/overseas/09/18/23/rare-deadly-nipah-virus-what-are-the-symptoms">Rare, deadly Nipah virus: What are the symptoms?</a></div><p>Unfortunately, there is currently no vaccine and no specific treatment for Nipah virus. Care is mainly supportive, focusing on managing symptoms and preventing complications.</p><div> </div><div><strong>PH is prepared</strong></div><p>Although no new cases of the Nipah virus have been recorded since 2014, the DOH says the country remains on alert saying that it even updated guidelines just three years ago.</p><p>“Ito yung tinatawag nating interim guidelines on the prevention, surveillance, case management, risk communication and outbreak response strategy for Henipavirus. So lahat ng stages ng infectious disease response, meron tayo dito nakaready.”</p><p>Under the guidelines, surveillance measures include identification of high-risk areas, event and wildlife-based surveillance  and screening of passengers for possible symptoms at points of entry. Domingo emphasized the importance of correctly filling out of e-travel forms especially for those arriving in the country.</p><p>“Mahigpit ang ating airport authorities na kailangan talaga yung ating e-travel completely filled out. At may mga tanong dun sa mga sintomas, yung mga bilanggit natin kanina na fever, headache, cough, sore throat, difficulty of breathing. Yung mga ano may may makukuha mo yun sa questionnaire, self-reporting,” Domingo said.</p><p>“Lahat ng international airports natin, may mga nakastation yan, yung mga may camera. Tapos pag dumaan ka doon, nakikita yung temperature mo. So, kasama yun doon sa ating surveillance system na nagbabantay.”</p><p>The guideline also highlights the importance of reducing the risk of infection primarily by decreasing the access of bats to palm sap and other fresh food products. Animal-to-human transmission can also be avoided by using gloves and other protective clothing while handling sick animals during slaughtering and culling procedures.</p><p>With mechanisms from the recent pandemic remaining relatively fresh, especially for those deeply impacted by it, health experts say that panic should be the last thing on everyone’s minds. </p><p>Instead, the public should understand that every health event is about preparedness, that means knowing how it spreads, its symptoms and how prevention works are what will actually save lives even before an outbreak reaches communities.</p>

<p>The Nipah virus is a zoonotic disease. This means it is transmitted from animals to humans. According to the World Health Organization, It was first identified in 1999 during an outbreak in Malaysia and Singapore. The virus is naturally carried by fruit bats, which serve as its primary host.</p>

The Nipah virus is a zoonotic disease. This means it is transmitted from animals to humans. According to the World Health Organization, It was first identified in 1999 during an outbreak in Malaysia and Singapore. The virus is naturally carried by fruit bats, which serve as its primary host.

What is the Nipah virus outbreak in India, and why is it taken seriously?

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What is the Nipah virus outbreak in India, and why is it taken seriously?

Raphael Bosano,

ABS-CBN News

Published Jan 26, 2026 05:51 PM PHT

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Nipah Virus

India

Department of Health

Albert Domingo

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