WHO backs India’s handling of Nipah outbreak, rules out travel curbs

The World Health Organization (WHO) has expressed confidence in India’s response to the recent Nipah virus outbreak and has said there is no need for travel or trade restrictions at this stage. The global health body made the statement after two cases of Nipah Virus Disease were confirmed in West Bengal earlier this month. According to WHO, strong surveillance systems, quick action by health authorities, and close coordination between the Centre and the state government have helped keep the situation under control.

The WHO said that based on India’s past experience in handling Nipah outbreaks, there is no sign of increased human-to-human transmission. It added that the risk of the virus spreading to other Indian states or to other countries is currently low. Because of this assessment, the organisation has not advised any restrictions on international travel or trade.

Nipah virus is a serious disease that can cause severe illness and has a high fatality rate if not detected and managed early. However, outbreaks are usually limited when strict public health measures are followed. India has faced Nipah cases in the past, particularly in Kerala, and those experiences have helped the country build strong response systems. The WHO said these systems are clearly visible in the current response as well.

Cases confirmed and immediate response

The Union Health Ministry confirmed that two cases of Nipah Virus Disease were reported in West Bengal during the period from December last year to the present month. After the confirmation, the central government immediately activated public health measures in close coordination with the West Bengal government. The ministry said that all actions were taken according to established protocols designed to prevent further spread of the virus.

Health officials at both the state and central levels moved quickly to identify possible sources of infection and to ensure that the virus did not spread to others. Special teams were deployed to manage the situation on the ground. Hospitals were alerted, and health workers were instructed to follow strict infection prevention and control practices.

According to the Health Ministry, enhanced surveillance was put in place in the affected areas. This included active case finding, laboratory testing, and field investigations. Samples were tested using approved methods to confirm or rule out infection. At the same time, hospitals were prepared to isolate and treat any suspected cases.

One of the most important steps taken was contact tracing. Authorities identified people who had come into contact with the confirmed patients and closely monitored them. The ministry said that a total of 196 contacts linked to the two confirmed cases were identified, traced, monitored, and tested. All of these contacts were found to be asymptomatic and tested negative for Nipah virus. This result provided reassurance that the outbreak had not spread further.

The government said that continuous monitoring and coordinated testing helped ensure that the situation remained under control. Officials also kept a close watch for any new symptoms or suspected cases so that immediate action could be taken if needed.

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Global response and WHO’s assessment

The WHO said it continues to work closely with Indian health authorities at both the national and state levels. It is supporting risk assessment, surveillance, and outbreak response efforts. The organisation added that it is regularly reviewing data from India and remains in constant communication with health officials.

In its assessment, WHO said there is no indication at present of sustained human-to-human transmission. This is a key factor in deciding whether travel or trade restrictions are required. Since the likelihood of wider spread is low, WHO has advised against imposing such measures, which can cause unnecessary disruption.

At the same time, the outbreak has drawn attention from other countries in the region. Several nations have stepped up precautionary measures to protect public health. Nepal, Thailand, and Taiwan are among the countries that have increased monitoring and screening efforts. China has started screening travellers arriving on flights from regions where Nipah cases have been reported, including India. Singapore has also introduced temperature screening at its airport for flights arriving from affected areas.

Singapore’s health authorities said they are reaching out to their counterparts in South Asia to better understand the situation. They also mentioned that work is ongoing to establish a global platform where countries can report genome sequencing data of detected cases. Such a platform can help scientists track the virus and understand how it spreads.

Despite these precautionary steps, WHO’s position remains clear that broad travel or trade restrictions are not needed. The organisation has repeatedly said that early detection, strong surveillance, and transparent communication are the most effective ways to manage outbreaks like Nipah.

Health experts continue to advise people to remain calm but alert. They stress the importance of following health advisories, maintaining hygiene, and seeking medical attention if symptoms such as fever, headache, or breathing difficulties appear. Authorities have also urged the public not to spread rumours or misinformation, as this can create unnecessary fear.

Overall, WHO’s backing of India’s handling of the Nipah outbreak reflects confidence in the country’s public health systems and preparedness. With ongoing surveillance, close coordination, and public cooperation, health officials believe the situation will remain under control and the risk of wider spread will stay low.