Nipah virus could turn into something “far more severe”, scientists warn

The Nipah virus, which was first identified in Malaysia in 1999, is still not a priority in South and Southeast Asia despite its repeated emergence, says a correspondence by scientists published in The Lancet. “The danger of Nipah virus is in its persistence, that is, it is periodic, lethal, and preventable,” the authors say.

They caution that the way South and Southeast Asia respond now, will determine whether Nipah virus remains a regional epidemic or if it “escalates into something far more severe.”

Recent outbreak responses

The correspondence warns that the recent cases in India (and Bangladesh) are not anomalies but reminders of a virus with recurrent outbreaks, high mortality, frequent infections of health-care workers, and no approved vaccines or treatments.

Most recently, on 26 January 2026, two laboratory‑confirmed cases of Nipah virus infection were recorded in West Bengal. The patients were both nurses at a hospital in the North 24 Parganas district and slipped into a coma. While one had to be placed on mechanical ventilation and died in February, the other nurse was eventually discharged.

The Nipah virus infection is a serious but rare zoonotic disease and is transmitted to humans through infected animals such as bats, or food contaminated with saliva, urine, and excreta of infected animals, according to WHO. It can also be transmitted between people through close contact. Even today, there are no licensed medicines or vaccines for Nipah infection, but early supportive care can help survival.

Rising public health risk

Amplifying the risk of contracting the Nipah virus are deforestation, urban expansion, agricultural intensification, and increase human–bat interactions, says the correspondence. “Fruit bats roost near homes, forage in cultivated areas, and contaminate food and surfaces, creating opportunities for spillover,” it added. Pigs, in particular, magnify the risk of disease.

While the Nipah virus is well understood and reservoirs have been identified, translating this knowledge into action has been poor, say the authors. “Surveillance is activated too late, research funding is sporadic, and preparedness is episodic.”

Much like South Asia, Southeast Asia is susceptible too. Cambodia, Thailand and the Philippines with high populations, growing agriculture, and abundant fruit bats, has conditions similar to south Asia, say the scientists, adding that “Cross-border movement and informal animal trade elevate regional spillover risk.”

The authors call for One Health strategies — linking human, animal, and environmental health—along with regular funding, and regional coordination. “Surveillance, ecological monitoring, and cross-border communication cannot wait for the next outbreak.” they say. And preparedness cannot be episodic: short-term responses might contain outbreaks but do little to prevent the next occurrence.