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Created page with "{{Short description|History of Nipah virus outbreaks in India}} {{Use dmy dates|date=January 2026}} '''Nipah virus outbreaks in India''' refer to multiple episodes of infection caused by the Nipah virus (NiV), a zoonotic virus of the genus ''Henipavirus''. India has reported several outbreaks and isolated cases since 2001, primarily in the states of West Bengal and Kerala. The virus has a high case-fatality rate and is transmitted through contact with infect..."

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{{Short description|History of Nipah virus outbreaks in India}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2026}}

'''Nipah virus outbreaks in India''' refer to multiple episodes of infection caused by the [[Nipah virus]] (NiV), a zoonotic virus of the genus ''Henipavirus''. India has reported several outbreaks and isolated cases since 2001, primarily in the states of [[West Bengal]] and [[Kerala]]. The virus has a high case-fatality rate and is transmitted through contact with infected fruit bats (''Pteropus'' species), contaminated food, or human-to-human transmission.<ref>{{cite web |title=Nipah virus |url=https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/nipah-virus |publisher=World Health Organization |access-date=30 January 2026}}</ref>

== Background ==
Nipah virus was first identified during an outbreak in Malaysia in 1998. Fruit bats are the natural reservoir of the virus, and sporadic spillover events have occurred in South and Southeast Asia. Human infections often present with acute encephalitis or severe respiratory illness, with case fatality rates ranging from 40% to 75%.<ref>{{cite journal |last=Chadha |first=M. S. |title=Nipah virus-associated encephalitis outbreak, Siliguri, India |journal=Emerging Infectious Diseases |year=2006 |volume=12 |issue=2 |pages=235–240}}</ref>

== Outbreaks in India ==

=== 2001: Siliguri, West Bengal ===
The first recognized Nipah virus outbreak in India occurred in Siliguri, West Bengal, between January and February 2001. A total of 66 cases of acute encephalitis syndrome were reported, with 45 deaths. Most infections occurred in hospital settings, indicating nosocomial transmission.<ref>{{cite journal |last=Chadha |first=M. S. |title=Nipah virus-associated encephalitis outbreak, Siliguri, India |journal=Emerging Infectious Diseases |year=2006 |volume=12 |issue=2 |pages=235–240}}</ref>

The outbreak was controlled through improved infection control practices, patient isolation, and surveillance.

=== 2007: Nadia district, West Bengal ===
In April 2007, a cluster of encephalitis cases was reported in Nadia district, West Bengal. Five cases were confirmed, all of whom died. Epidemiological investigation suggested transmission from an index case who likely acquired the infection from bats, followed by person-to-person spread.<ref>{{cite journal |last=Arankalle |first=V. A. |title=Nipah virus infection in India |journal=Emerging Infectious Diseases |year=2011 |volume=17 |issue=5 |pages=822–824}}</ref>

=== 2018: Kozhikode and Malappuram, Kerala ===
In May 2018, Kerala experienced its first Nipah virus outbreak. Nineteen cases were reported, including 17 deaths. The outbreak was centered in Kozhikode and Malappuram districts. Human-to-human transmission was documented, particularly among caregivers and healthcare workers.<ref>{{cite web |title=Nipah virus – India |url=https://www.who.int/emergencies/disease-outbreak-news/item/07-august-2018-nipah-virus-india-en |publisher=World Health Organization |date=7 August 2018}}</ref>

The Government of India and Kerala implemented extensive contact tracing, quarantine, and public health measures, successfully containing the outbreak.

=== 2019: Ernakulam, Kerala ===
In June 2019, a single confirmed case of Nipah virus infection was reported in Ernakulam district, Kerala. The patient survived, and no secondary cases were detected due to rapid containment and surveillance measures.<ref>{{cite news |title=Kerala reports Nipah case, patient stable |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/kerala-reports-nipah-case/article27898409.ece |work=The Hindu |date=4 June 2019}}</ref>

=== 2021: Kozhikode, Kerala ===
In September 2021, a 12-year-old boy from Kozhikode district died after being infected with Nipah virus. Over 240 contacts were traced and monitored, and no additional cases were reported.<ref>{{cite web |title=A case of Nipah Virus detected in Kozhikode district of Kerala |url=https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=1752188 |publisher=Press Information Bureau |date=5 September 2021}}</ref>

=== 2023: Kozhikode, Kerala ===
In September 2023, Kerala reported six confirmed Nipah virus cases in Kozhikode district, resulting in two deaths. More than 1,200 contacts were traced. Genome sequencing confirmed the virus belonged to the Indian genotype closely related to Bangladesh strains.<ref>{{cite web |title=Nipah virus infection – India |url=https://www.who.int/emergencies/disease-outbreak-news/item/2023-DON490 |publisher=World Health Organization |date=3 October 2023}}</ref>

=== 2024: Malappuram, Kerala ===
In July 2024, a 14-year-old boy from Malappuram district died due to Nipah virus infection. Health authorities traced over 200 contacts, and no secondary transmission was reported.<ref>{{cite news |title=One dead from Nipah virus in India’s Kerala |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/india/one-dead-nipah-virus-indias-kerala-state-state-health-minister-says-local-tv-2024-07-21/ |work=Reuters |date=21 July 2024}}</ref>

=== 2025: Kerala ===
In 2025, Kerala reported four Nipah virus cases across Malappuram and Palakkad districts, including two fatalities. Investigations suggested independent zoonotic spillover events rather than a single transmission chain.<ref>{{cite web |title=Nipah virus infection – India |url=https://www.who.int/emergencies/disease-outbreak-news/item/2025-DON577 |publisher=World Health Organization |date=6 August 2025}}</ref>

=== 2026: North 24 Parganas, West Bengal ===
In January 2026, two healthcare workers in Barasat, North 24 Parganas district, tested positive for Nipah virus. Both survived. Extensive contact tracing found no additional cases.<ref>{{cite web |title=Nipah virus infection – India |url=https://www.who.int/emergencies/disease-outbreak-news/item/2026-DON593 |publisher=World Health Organization |date=30 January 2026}}</ref>

== Year-wise summary ==

{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Year !! Location !! Cases !! Deaths
|-
| 2001 || Siliguri, West Bengal || 66 || 45
|-
| 2007 || Nadia, West Bengal || 5 || 5
|-
| 2018 || Kozhikode–Malappuram, Kerala || 19 || 17
|-
| 2019 || Ernakulam, Kerala || 1 || 0
|-
| 2021 || Kozhikode, Kerala || 1 || 1
|-
| 2023 || Kozhikode, Kerala || 6 || 2
|-
| 2024 || Malappuram, Kerala || 1 || 1
|-
| 2025 || Kerala || 4 || 2
|-
| 2026 || North 24 Parganas, West Bengal || 2 || 0
|}

== See also ==
* [[Nipah virus]]
* [[List of epidemics in India]]
* [[Zoonotic diseases]]

== References ==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Nipah virus outbreaks]]
[[Category:Health disasters in India]]
[[Category:Viral outbreaks in India]]
[[Category:Epidemics in India]]

Nipah virus outbreaks in India - Revision history