MUMBAI: Fresh Nipah virus cases reported in eastern India have triggered health alerts just weeks before the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, prompting authorities to step up surveillance and quarantine measures.
Indian media reported at least five confirmed infections in West Bengal, with around 100 people placed under observation. Among those affected are healthcare workers, including two nurses in Kolkata said to be in critical condition.
The outbreak comes as India and Sri Lanka prepare to co-host the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup from February 7 to March 8, with international teams and thousands of fans expected to arrive in the region.
Health officials said emergency protocols have been activated to contain potential spread, while contact tracing is underway in affected districts.
Nipah virus is a zoonotic disease transmitted from animals to humans, primarily through fruit bats. It can also spread via contaminated food or close contact with infected individuals. The World Health Organization classifies Nipah as a priority pathogen due to its high fatality rate, which has reached up to 75 percent in past outbreaks.
India’s southern state of Kerala has previously recorded multiple Nipah-related deaths since 2018.
Authorities said monitoring has been intensified nationwide as preparations continue for the global cricket event.
