Low risk of Nipah virus spread from India;WHO rules out travel curbs

The World Health Organisation (WHO) on Friday said the risk of the Nipah virus spreading from India remains low and there is no need to impose travel or trade restrictions after the country reported two cases of the infection.In an update shared on its website, the global health body said there is no evidence of increased human-to-human transmission and that the “national, regional and global risk remains low”. The two cases were reported from North 24 Parganas district in West Bengal and are currently confined to the area.
“The likelihood of spread to other Indian states or internationally is considered low,” the WHO said, adding that there was no travel history reported while the patients were symptomatic. Based on the assessment, the agency said it does not advise any restrictions on international travel or trade.The WHO statement comes even as several Asian countries have stepped up health screening and checks for travellers arriving from the region following reports of the infection. Health authorities, however, continue to monitor the situation closely.
Nipah virus is a zoonotic disease that primarily spreads from animals, particularly fruit bats, to humans. Transmission can occur through contaminated food or close contact with infected animals or people. While person-to-person transmission is possible, the virus does not spread easily and typically requires close and prolonged contact.The infection can cause fever, headache and muscle pain in its early stages, symptoms that are often mistaken for other illnesses. In more severe cases, it can lead to acute encephalitis, or inflammation of the brain, respiratory distress, seizures and coma. The fatality rate is estimated to range between 40% and 75%, though many patients who recover regain full health, while some may suffer long-term neurological complications.At present, there are no approved vaccines or specific treatments for Nipah virus. However, several vaccine candidates and therapeutic options are under development, including one being tested by scientists at Oxford University.
Meanwhile, weather-related disruptions continued to affect air travel in the national capital. Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport operated under low visibility procedures on Friday morning due to prevailing winter conditions.In a passenger advisory issued at 7 am, Delhi International Airport Ltd (DIAL) said that while low visibility protocols remain in force, all flight operations are proceeding as scheduled. “Low visibility procedures are still in progress at Delhi Airport. All flight operations continue as normal,” the airport operator said in a post on X.

Passenger Advisory issued at 07:00 hrs.

Please click on this link for real-time winter travel updates: https://t.co/1grW9nhpAb#DelhiAirport #PassengerAdvisory #DELAdvisory pic.twitter.com/WW4lIRJMxh

— Delhi Airport (@DelhiAirport) January 30, 2026

Passengers have been advised to remain in contact with their respective airlines for the latest updates on flight schedules and to check real-time winter travel information on the airport’s official website for any weather-related disruptions.