Parliament Question: Incidence of Nipah virus across the country

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 439 TO BE ANSWERED ON 03.02.2026 INCIDENCE OF NIPAH VIRUS ACROSS THE COUNTRY 439. MS. SUSHMITA DEV: Will the MINISTER OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE be pleased to state : - (a) the total number of Nipah virus cases reported in the country since its first detection, along with the number of deaths, year-wise and State-wise; (b) whether Government has assessed the fatality rate and transmission patterns in recent outbreaks; (c) the measures taken by the Central Government to prevent, detect and contain Nipah virus outbreaks, including surveillance, testing, isolation and contact tracing; (d) whether any advisories, standard operating procedures or guidelines have been issued to State Governments and health authorities in this regard and the details thereof; and (e) the technical, financial and logistical support provided by the Centre to vulnerable States? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH & FAMILY WELFARE (SHRI PRATAPRAO JADHAV) (a) to (e) : In India, Nipah Outbreaks have been reported in West Bengal (in 2001 & 2007) and in Kerala (in 2018, 2019, 2021, 2023, 2024 and 2025); the detail of these is at Annexure- I. Recently, outbreak of Nipah Virus infection has been reported in North 24 Pargana district in West Bengal in the month of January, 2026. Control measures initiated and steps taken by the Government to contain Nipah outbreaks is at Annexure-II. *******Annexure-I ANNEXURE-I REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PART (a) OF THE RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 439 FOR 03.02.2026 REGARDING INCIDENCE OF NIPAH VIRUS ACROSS THE COUNTRY: State & Districts wise Cases and Deaths reported in Nipah Disease Outbreaks as per IDSP portal S. Year State (District) Total cases Total deaths No. 1 2001 West Bengal (Siliguri) 66 45 2 2007 West Bengal (Nadia) 5 5 3 2018 Kerala (Kozhikode) 18 16 4 2019 Kerala (Ernakulum) 1 - 5 2021 Kerala (Kozhikode) 1 1 6 2023 Kerala (Kozhikode) 6 2 7 2024 Kerala (Malappuram) 2 2 8 2025 Kerala (Malappuram & 4 2 Palakkad) 9 2026 West Bengal (North 24 2 0 Pargana)Annexure-II ANNEXURE-II REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PART (c) to (e) OF THE RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 439 FOR 03.02.2026 REGARDING INCIDENCE OF NIPAH VIRUS ACROSS THE COUNTRY: Control measures initiated and steps taken by the Government to contain Nipah Disease Outbreaks:  Through surveillance mechanism the early warning signals are captured to generate alerts, detect outbreaks in the early rising phase, outbreak investigations are conducted and timely appropriate measures are undertaken by the respective public health agencies to control and prevent the further spread of the disease.  A National Joint Outbreak Response Team (NJORT), comprising of experts from Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Forest & Wildlife and human health, and Bat survey team were deployed for comprehensive assessment and review of these outbreaks. Malappuram and Palakkad, with Kozhikode, Thrissur, and Wayanad districts were placed on alert.  Whole genome sequencing was performed on clinical specimens from all positive cases. This genomic surveillance aids in understanding the circulating Nipah virus strain, which belong to similar genotypes of 2019 and 2021 outbreaks in Kerala.  Beyond the immediate outbreak response, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (MoHFW) maintained continued support and collaborative engagement with both Virus Research and Diagnostic Laboratories (VRDLs) throughout the year, ensuring training, a steady supply of Personal protective equipment (PPE) and diagnostic reagents. This sustained effort underscores a commitment to strengthening regional capacities for infectious disease preparedness and response.  The State and Central Government health officials worked to enhance public and healthcare professional awareness regarding Nipah virus disease. These initiatives ensured that individuals were made aware on the signs and symptoms of the disease and understood the appropriate actions to take if they suspected an infection in themselves or others.  Under the MoHFW, Integrated Disease Surveillance Program (IDSP) is an important programme, which mandates surveillance & response to outbreak prone communicable diseases. IDSP is implemented in all 36 States/UTs. The program is responsible for the surveillance of 50 plus epidemic prone diseases and outbreak investigation. IDSP plays a crucial role in prompt response and surveillance of emerging and re-emerging diseases including Nipah Virus disease in the country.  Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and ICMR- National Institute of Virology (NIV), Pune, have strengthened Nipah surveillance by enhancing Acute Encephalitis Syndrome (AES) in Kerala state and Severe Acute Respiratory Illness (SARI) surveillance in West Bengal and Kerala since October-November 2024.  A comprehensive guideline on Nipah Virus has been prepared which can be accessed on the link https://ncdc.mohfw.gov.in/nipah-virus-guidelines/  Under National One Health Programme for Prevention and Control of Zoonotic Diseases (NOHP-PCZ) various initiatives are taken to strengthen prevention, detection, and response capacities for zoonotic diseases in India, including Nipah Virus Disease (NiV)  For institutionalization of One Health at National, State and district level – Zoonosiscommittee have been formed in All States /UTs to review status of all zoonotic diseases including Nipah virus  Capacity Building of medical and veterinary professional up to frontline health /vet workers is through Regional and state level institutes.  For understanding burden of priority zoonosis and efficient management 75 Sentinel Surveillance Sites in 28 States/ UTs strengthened under medical colleges/vet colleges.  Centre for One Health, NCDC has prepared a Technical Guidance on Zoonotic Disease, including Nipah Virus Disease and may be accessed at link below https://ncdc.mohfw.gov.in/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Technical-Guidance-on- Zoonotic-Disease.pdf  Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) video on Nipah virus disease has been prepared to create awareness in the public and prevent the spread of the disease. The IEC may be accessed at link below https://ncdc.mohfw.gov.in/iec-material-on-zoonotic- disease-nipah/  Year-wise details of total fund allocation and expenditure for setting up infrastructure and implementation of programmes aimed at improving the surveillance of various diseases including viral diseases under NHM may be accessed at following link: http://nhm.gov.in/index1.php?lang=1&sublinkid=1377&lid=744. *****