What is the Nipah virus and why is it a concern in Asia?

Nipah virus is a recurrent, lethal, and preventable zoonotic disease that first emerged in Malaysia in 1999, and it continues to pose a significant, yet often neglected, threat in South and Southeast Asia due to its periodic emergence and high mortality rate.

What factors increase the risk of Nipah virus outbreaks?

Factors such as deforestation, urban expansion, agricultural intensification, and increased human-bat interactions amplify the risk of Nipah virus transmission, with pigs playing a role in magnifying the disease.

What measures are needed to combat the Nipah virus threat?

Scientists are calling for sustained One Health strategies that link human, animal, and environmental health, along with regular funding and regional coordination, including proactive surveillance and cross-border communication.

Home / Health / Nipah Virus: Asia's Neglected Deadly Threat

Nipah Virus: Asia's Neglected Deadly Threat

26 Mar

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Summary

Nipah virus, identified in 1999, is a recurrent, lethal, and preventable zoonotic disease.
Recent outbreaks in India and Bangladesh highlight the urgent need for preparedness.
Deforestation and increased human-bat interaction amplify the risk of Nipah virus spread.

Nipah Virus: Asia's Neglected Deadly Threat

Scientists are sounding the alarm about the Nipah virus, a recurrent, lethal, and preventable zoonotic disease first identified in Malaysia in 1999. Despite repeated emergences in South and Southeast Asia, the virus is not receiving adequate attention, say correspondence authors in The Lancet.

Recent outbreaks in India and Bangladesh are not isolated incidents but recurring reminders of Nipah's high mortality rate and potential for healthcare worker infections. As of January 26, 2026, two nurses in West Bengal were confirmed infected, with one succumbing to the illness in February.