Nipah Virus Spread in India Worries, Potential for a New Pandemic?

JAKARTA - Nipah virus is currently a concern of the world, after five people in the state of West Bengal, India, were confirmed positive for infection. This disease is considered deadly, with a death rate of more than two-thirds of cases.

It is known that the nipah virus comes from the same virus family as measles, which has a high transmission rate. Regarding the case in India, it is reported that almost 100 people who have had contact with infected patients are now quarantined and under surveillance.

Quoted from Outbreak News Today, on Wednesday, January 28, 2026, a number of health workers, including a doctor, nurse, and medical officer were also infected.

All of the new cases are said to be related to the same private hospital in Barasat, near Kolkata, where the first two nurses were first tested positive earlier this month. They were infected from patients who had previously been treated at the hospital.

This situation has sparked concerns about the wider spread of the nipah virus, which is even feared to have the potential to become a new pandemic. The World Health Organization (WHO) has previously included the nipah virus in the list of pathogens with pandemic potential.

Last year, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) also included nipah in a list of 24 diseases considered the greatest threat to public health in the future.

Not only that, a number of scientists have previously stated that the nipah virus has the potential to trigger a new pandemic. A virologist at the University of Kentucky, Rebecca Dutch, said the nipah virus occurs periodically and will likely continue to appear.

"Nipah is one of the viruses that is very likely to cause a new pandemic. There are many things about this virus that are very worrying," said Rebecca.

Meanwhile, India itself has experienced several outbreaks of nipah since the virus was first detected in 2001. The deadliest outbreak occurred in West Bengal, when 45 out of 66 patients died.

Cases of infection with the nipah virus have also been reported in Bangladesh, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Singapore. Experts assess that the increase in cases is related to the loss of animal habitat, which makes the animals that carry the virus live close to humans and the spread is easier.