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Scientists' verdict on whether horror deadly Nipah virus outbreak could spark pandemic

The UK Health Security Agency has said it continues to 'monitor the situation closely' after two countries began checking arriving passengers for the deadly Nipah virus

[A Nipah virus outbreak in India has sparked worry over a 'new pandemic' - and experts have now given their verdict]

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A Nipah virus outbreak in India has sparked worry over a 'new pandemic' - and experts have now given their verdict(Image: DeFodi Images via Getty Images)

Top doctors have issued their verdict on the Nipah virus after two countries began testing passengers at airports for the deadly disease.

Thailand and Nepal brought in strict health screenings on arrivals from West Bengal in India after two cases of the virus were confirmed in the region. Nipah, which causes swelling of the brain, can be transmitted from animals to humans, or through contaminated food and direct human-to-human contact. It has an exceptionally high death rate, ranging from 40% to 75%.

No cases of Nipah virus have ever been reported in Britain. Today, the UK Health Security Agency's travel chief told the Mirror that the government "continues to monitor the situation closely" but stressed that "the risk of an imported case into the UK is considered to be very low".

[A map showing human cases of Nipah virus released by the UK Health Security Agency]

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A map showing human cases of Nipah virus released by the UK Health Security Agency(Image: UKHSA)

'Risk to the UK is very low'

Dr Meera Chand, UKHSA Deputy Director for travel health, zoonoses, emerging infections, respiratory and tuberculosis, said: "The UK Health Security Agency continues to monitor the situation closely and is engaged with international partners to obtain the latest information on the outbreak as it emerges. The risk of an imported case into the UK is considered to be very low.

"Nipah virus does not occur in the UK and there has never been an imported case reported. Transmission within the wider UK population is highly unlikely as there are established processes for the isolation of Nipah virus cases, rapid diagnostics, and infection prevention and control within healthcare settings."

[Passengers arriving from West Bengal are being screened at Bangkok airport]

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Passengers arriving from West Bengal are being screened at Bangkok airport(Image: AP)

What have experts said about the virus?

Dr Kaja Abbas, Associate Professor of Infectious Disease Epidemiology and Dynamics at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine and Nagasaki University, said he believed there was a "low likelihood of widespread pandemic spread" in the same manner as Covid-19 because of the way the virus is structured.

He explained: "Nipah virus is a zoonotic RNA virus first identified in 1999 that causes severe respiratory and neurological disease in humans, potentially progressing from fever and headache to acute encephalitis. Since 2001, sporadic but recurring outbreaks have occurred, especially in Bangladesh and India. In addition to zoonotic transmission from animals such as fruit bats to humans, human-to-human transmission and transmission from contaminated fruit products (such as date palm juice) to humans also occur.

"India's health ministry has confirmed two cases in West Bengal, India, since December 2025 among healthcare workers, and traced contacts have tested negative for Nipah infection.

[Nipah kills between 40% and 75% of all people it infects]

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Nipah kills between 40% and 75% of all people it infects(Image: BSIP/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)

"To prevent international spread, countries such as Thailand and Nepal has initiated screening passengers from India at the point of entry through air or land, and other countries such as Kazakhstan has issued guidance through their health ministries to follow medical observation for 14 days upon arrival. General prevention focuses on good hygiene, proper ventilation, avoiding crowds and sick contacts, staying home when ill, seeking timely medical advice, and maintaining a healthy lifestyle to support immunity.

"Since 2001, sporadic but recurring outbreaks have occurred, especially in Bangladesh and India. In addition to zoonotic transmission from animals such as fruit bats to humans, human-to-human transmission, and transmission from contaminated fruit products (such as date palm juice) to humans also occur.

"The basic reproduction number of the Nipah virus is typically below 1, suggesting limited human-to-human transmission and a low likelihood of widespread pandemic spread."

What are the symptoms of Nipah virus?

According to the UKHSA, the infection usually begins with a "non-specific" flu-like illness or fever, and sufferers may also develop pneumonia or other respiratory problems.

The real deadly risk from Nipah comes from encephalitis (inflammation of the brain) or meningitis, which typically develops 3 to 21 days after the initial illness begins. This is what gives the virus very high mortality rate.

Between 40 and 75% of people infected with Nipah virus die, and survivors may be left with lasting neurological difficulties, including persistent seizures and lasting personality changes. Sometimes, the virus can reactivate months or even years after the initial infection.

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