Parliament Question: Cases of Nipah Virus in West Bengal

GOVERNMENTOFINDIA MINISTRYOFHEALTH AND FAMILYWELFARE DEPARTMENTOFHEALTH AND FAMILYWELFARE LOK SABHA UNSTARREDQUESTION NO. 3245 TO BE ANSWERED ON07.08.2026 CASES OFNIPAHVIRUS IN WESTBENGAL 3245.SHRIASADUDDIN OWAISI: Will the MINISTER OFHEALTHAND FAMILYWELFAREbe pleased tostate:- (a) whether the Government is aware of the recent cases of Nipah virus outbreak reported in West Bengal, with at least five confirmed cases and the existing of the virus in Kerala, if so, the detailsthereof; (b) the specific measures being takenbythe Government topreventthe zoonotic transmission from animalstohumans, including the detailsof activesurveillance inthe affectedregions; (c) whether the Government has issued any advisory for the commencement of screening for Nipah in containment zones across the country along with the details of critical care support inthisregard; (d) the measures taken by the Government to contain the outbreak, given its high fatality rate of 40percentto75percentand the absence of approvedvaccinesor antivirals; (e) whether a public health advisory has been issued to raise awareness about symptoms, preventionandhygiene inthe country,if so, the details thereof; and (f) whether the Government is aware that Thailand and Singapore are screening passengers arriving from West Bengal, if so, the details of the specific travel advisories issued for outboundpassengers from the affected regions? ANSWER THE MINISTER OFSTATE INTHE MINISTRYOFHEALTH& FAMILY WELFARE (SHRIPRATAPRAO JADHAV) (a) to (e): The Government is aware of the reported cases of Nipah virus disease in the States of West Bengal and Kerala. During 2026, West Bengal reported two laboratory-confirmed cases of Nipah virus disease, including one death, while Kerala reported one laboratory- confirmed case. All reported cases were promptly investigated by the respective State Governments with technical support from the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC). National Joint Outbreak Response Teams (NJORTs) were deployed to both West Bengal and Kerala to support epidemiological investigations, strengthen surveillance, facilitate contact tracing, and assist the States in implementing appropriate public health measures for containmentofthe outbreaks. The details of the measures undertaken by the Government to prevent the zoonotic transmission fromanimalstohumansandtocontaintheoutbreakare atAnnexure.The NCDC has developed and disseminated technical guidance documents, including standard operating procedures, Learning Resource Packages and Communicable Disease Alert tosupport uniform preparedness, surveillance, diagnosis andresponse across States and Union Territories. The details may be seen on the links: (https://ncdc.mohfw.gov.in/uploads/resource/1769335263_ZDPHI_Manual_2025_V2_06.11. 2025.pdf) and (https://ncdc.mohfw.gov.in/uploads/glimpse_pdfs/1770282425_CD-Alert- NIPAH-Virus.pdf) To strengthen risk communication and community awareness, NCDC has developed and disseminated a range of Information, Education and Communication (IEC) materials, including print, audio and video resources, on priority zoonotic diseases, including Nipah Virus Disease. These materials are used for training of healthcare professionals as well as for public awarenessandcommunityoutreachactivities.The detailsmaybe accessedat link: https://ncdc.mohfw.gov.in/includes/Health_Information/healthcare.php (f): The Government is aware that during the Nipah virus outbreak reported in West Bengal in early 2026, Singapore and Thailand had introduced temporary public health screening, including temperature screening, at airports and seaports for travellers arriving from the affected areas in India. These measures were implemented for a limited period and were subsequently discontinued. *****ANNEXURE The control measures undertaken and contingency plans for prevention and containmentof Nipah virusdisease outbreaks: i. Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (MoHFW) maintained continued support and collaborative engagement with both Virus Research and Diagnostic Laboratories throughout the year, ensuring training, a steady supply of Personal protective equipment anddiagnostic reagents. ii. Integrated Disease Surveillance Program (IDSP) mandates surveillance & response to outbreak prone communicable diseases. IDSPplays a crucial role in prompt response and surveillance of emerging and re-emerging diseases including Nipah Virus disease in the country. iii. IndianCouncil ofMedical Research (ICMR) andICMR-National Institute of Virology, Pune, have strengthened Nipah surveillance by enhancing Acute Encephalitis Syndrome in Kerala state and Severe Acute Respiratory Illness surveillance in West Bengal and Kerala since October-November 2024. iv. Acomprehensiveguideline on NipahVirus hasbeenpreparedwhichcanbeaccessed on the link: https://ncdc.mohfw.gov.in/nipah-virus-guidelines/. v. UnderNational OneHealthProgrammeforPreventionandControlof ZoonoticDiseases (NOHP-PCZ) various initiatives are taken tostrengthen prevention, detection, and response capacitiesfor zoonotic diseases inIndia,includingNipah Virus Disease. vi. For institutionalization of One Health at National, State and district level – Zoonosis committee have been formed in All States /UTs to review status of all zoonotic diseases includingNipah virus vii. NCDC hasprepareda TechnicalGuidance on Zoonotic Disease, includingNipahVirus Disease that may be accessed at link: https://ncdc.mohfw.gov.in/wp- content/uploads/2024/04/Technical-Guidance-on-Zoonotic-Disease.pdf. viii. Information,Education,andCommunication(IEC)videoonNipahvirusdiseasehas beenprepared tocreate awareness inthe public and preventthe spread of the disease. The IEC may be accessed at link: https://ncdc.mohfw.gov.in/iec-material-on-zoonotic-disease- nipah/. *****