No Vaccine, High Risk: Doctors Stress Early Detection as Nipah Virus Raises Alarm

Kolkata | 20 January 2026 The Nipah virus, a rare but highly deadly infection, is once again in focus as fresh cases reported from West Bengal trigger serious public health concern. Health experts warn that the virus, which spreads silently in its early stage and has a very high fatality rate, leaves little room for delay in diagnosis and treatment. With no approved vaccine or confirmed antiviral cure, early detection remains the strongest defence against the disease. Nipah virus is a zoonotic infection, meaning it spreads from animals to humans. It belongs to the Henipavirus family and is mainly carried by fruit bats of the Pteropus species. Humans usually get infected by consuming food contaminated with bat saliva, urine or droppings, especially raw date palm sap, a practice common in parts of eastern India and Bangladesh. According to Dr. Neha Mishra, Consultant in Infectious Diseases at Manipal Hospital, the virus can also spread from person to person, particularly through close contact while caring for infected patients. One of the biggest challenges with Nipah virus is that early symptoms often resemble common viral illnesses. Patients may initially experience fever, headache, body pain, sore throat or cough. In some cases, breathing difficulty develops, increasing the risk of transmission. Within a short span, the infection can worsen rapidly, leading to brain inflammation or encephalitis. Symptoms like confusion, seizures, extreme drowsiness and coma may follow, making the illness life-threatening within days. India has witnessed multiple Nipah outbreaks since 2001, including in West Bengal and Kerala. Health authorities often point to Kerala’s 2018 outbreak as a strong example of effective control through early diagnosis, isolation, contact tracing and strict monitoring. Experts note that outbreaks often occur during seasons linked to fruit bat activity and traditional food habits. With fatality rates ranging from 40% to as high as 75% in past outbreaks, doctors underline that prevention, public awareness and quick medical attention are crucial. Simple steps like avoiding raw date palm sap, maintaining hygiene and seeking immediate care for suspicious symptoms can save lives and help stop the virus from spreading further. Silent but Deadly: Why Doctors Are Worried About the Nipah Virus The Nipah virus has once again come into the spotlight after fresh cases were reported in West Bengal, raising serious health concerns. Doctors warn that this infection spreads quietly in its early stage but can turn fatal very quickly. With no approved vaccine or confirmed medicine available, experts say early detection is the only way to reduce deaths and stop the virus from spreading further. Nipah is a zoonotic disease, meaning it passes from animals to humans. Fruit bats are the natural carriers of the virus, and people usually get infected by eating food or drinking raw date palm sap contaminated by bats. According to infectious disease specialist Dr. Neha Mishra, the virus can also spread from person to person, especially through close contact while caring for an infected patient, making hospitals and households high-risk zones. The illness often begins with common symptoms such as fever, headache, body pain and sore throat, which makes it hard to identify at first. Some patients develop breathing problems, and within a few days, the infection can attack the brain. This leads to serious conditions like encephalitis, seizures, confusion and even coma, sharply increasing the risk of death if treatment is delayed. India has faced Nipah outbreaks before in states like Kerala and West Bengal. Health experts point out that Kerala managed to control earlier outbreaks through quick testing, isolation and strict contact tracing. Since the virus has a fatality rate as high as 75 percent in some cases, prevention is critical. Avoiding raw date palm sap, maintaining hygiene and seeking medical help at the first sign of symptoms can help save lives and prevent a wider outbreak.