Nipah Virus

Two cases of Nipah virus infection in Barasat (outskirts of Kolkata) in the eastern state of West Bengal, India, were confirmed on 13 January 2026; as of 29 January 2026, contact tracing has not identified any further cases. Nipah virus is a rare zoonotic disease that has never been detected in animals or people in Australia. The risk of Nipah virus in Queensland is very low, and other more common differential diagnoses should be considered in the first instance.

Travelers to areas where Nipah virus has been found are advised to take simple food and animal precautions to protect themselves. 

Clinicians should be alert for Nipah virus infection in patients who present with: 

• Encephalitis OR atypical pneumonia with acute respiratory distress AND
• Recent travel and exposure history in the 14 days prior to onset of symptoms.

Suspected cases of Nipah virus must be notified to your local public health unit

Epidemiology

Nipah virus has previously caused sporadic cases and outbreaks in parts of South and Southeast Asia including in India, Malaysia, Philippines and Singapore and near annual outbreaks in Bangladesh. Fruit bats are known to be the natural reservoir while pigs and other animals may serve as intermediate hosts.

Nipah virus is usually transmitted to humans through: contact with infected animals (especially bats and pigs) or their bodily fluids – including saliva, urine or faeces; eating fruit or fruit products (especially date palm juice or sap) contaminated with the bodily fluids of infected bats.

Person to person transmission of Nipah virus outside of very close contact is rare.

Signs and symptoms

While cases can have no or mild illness symptoms usually appear 5-14 days after exposure and may include: 

• fever,
• headache,
• muscle aches,
• sore throat,
• vomiting,
• difficulty breathing,
• confusion and
• seizures.

Infection prevention and control 

• Patients with suspected Nipah virus infection are to be placed in a negative pressure single room with unshared ensuite, and dedicated anteroom where available. Facilities that do not have negative pressure isolation rooms should place patients in a single room with doors closed.
• Use signage on door of room to advise non-essential staff not to enter and denote transmission-based precautions required.
• Contact and airborne precautions are required for the management of patients who are suspected or confirmed of having Nipah virus infection.  
• Recommended personal protective equipment includes:
  • disposable non-sterile gloves
  • fluid resistant long-sleeved gown (level 3 or 4)
  • protective eyewear (goggles/full face shield) and fit-tested particulate filter respirator (e.g. P2/N95 mask).

 Laboratory testing 

•  Nipah virus infection may be considered in patients presenting with:
  • Encephalitis OR atypical pneumonia with acute respiratory distress AND
  • Recent travel history to the affected area (Barasat outside of Kolkata in West Bengal, India) or close contact with a case, typically in the 14 days prior to onset of symptoms.

Contact your local public health unit for advice.

Further information

Nipah virus: Nipah virus infections reported overseas | Australian Centre for Disease Control

Preventing infectious diseases while travelling: Travel advice | Australian Centre for Disease Control