Tip Sheet: What you need to know about Nipah virus

The World Health Organization continues to monitor Nipah virus after being notified of two confirmed cases in West Bengal, India in January 2026 and one in northwestern Bangladesh in February 2026. The two cases in West Bengal, India, were nurses and the case in Bangladesh was a woman whose infection is believed to be related to consuming raw date palm sap contaminated by fruit bats. Although no other cases have been detected, U.S. residents are wondering if they should be concerned about the virus making its way here.  

Infectious disease epidemiologist and animal-to-human transmission (zoonosis) expert Amira Roess reports that the risk of Nipah virus infection is low for Americans, while also urging travelers to take precautions to prevent international spread. 

What is Nipah virus? 

Nipah virus is a virus transmitted to humans through contact with infected animals (zoonotic), primarily found in different parts of Asia and in Australia. Its natural host is fruit bats, but it can be passed to other animals, from animals to people, and from person to person. Nipah virus does not seem to cause disease in fruit bats, but can cause illness in the brain and lungs in other animals and in humans.   

How is Nipah virus spread and what are the symptoms? 

Nipah virus is spread through direct contact with infected animals, particularly farm animals like pigs and horses, or close contact with infected people. Nipah virus can be spread from person-to-person when in close quarters between families or caregivers of older adults. The virus can be passed through bodily fluids and airborne transmission, particularly in overcrowded, poorly ventilated environments.  

The majority of people who contract Nipah virus experience fever, headache, cough, sore throat, and difficulty breathing. Most people make a full recovery; in more severe cases, patients have shown confusion, drowsiness, seizures, brain swelling (encephalitis), or fallen into comas.  

Should Americans be concerned about Nipah virus? 

At the moment, the risk of contracting Nipah virus for those in the U.S. is low. The recent cases of Nipah virus were detected in West Bengal, India, so people in that region should remain vigilant. Also, people who travel to Southeast and East Asia, and even Australia should pay attention to cases in the areas they intend to visit since sporadic cases have been reported there historically. 

How can travelers protect themselves from Nipah virus? 

Since there is no cure or vaccine for Nipah virus, prevention and early detection are the best ways to avoid serious illness. If you are traveling to regions at higher risk of Nipah virus cases, it may be a good idea to wear masks and avoid crowded spaces. Practice good hygiene like proper hand washing for at least 20 seconds with soap and warm water. If you have been around someone who has displayed Nipah-like symptoms or you begin to experience symptoms, visit your local health facility as soon as possible to receive a test.  

If you test positive, follow all instructions from health providers and notify anyone you have been in close contact with. If possible, avoid traveling until you are no longer at risk of infecting others. The goal is to prevent further spread. 

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MEDIA INQUIRIES: For reporters who wish to speak to Amira Roess about Nipah virus or other infectious diseases, please email media contact Michelle Thompson at mthomp7@gmu.edu.   

Amira Roess is a professor of global health and epidemiology at George Mason University's College of Public Health, Department of Global and Community Health. She served as an Epidemic Intelligence Service officer (a disease detective) at the Centers for Disease Control. She is an epidemiologist with expertise in infectious diseases epidemiology, multidisciplinary and multi-species field research and evaluating interventions to reduce the transmission and impact of infectious diseases. Roess oversees several longitudinal studies to understand emergence and transmission of zoonotic infectious diseases globally, including the emergence and transmission of Campylobacter (with support from The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation), MERS-CoV (with support from the U.S. National Science Foundation), and the development of the microbiome during the first year of life. She studies links between food animal production and emerging infectious and zoonotic diseases emergence globally, and the effects of human and animal encounters on health and well-being. You may find more information about her research here. 

About George Mason University      

George Mason University is Virginia’s largest public research university. Located near Washington, D.C., Mason enrolls more than 40,000 students from 130 countries and all 50 states. Mason has grown rapidly over the past half-century and is recognized for its innovation and entrepreneurship, remarkable diversity, and commitment to accessibility. In 2023, the university launched Mason Now: Power the Possible, a one-billion-dollar comprehensive campaign to support student success, research, innovation, community, and stewardship. Learn more at gmu.edu.     

About College of Public Health at George Mason University     

The College of Public Health at George Mason University is the first College of Public Health in Virginia and a national leader in inclusive, interprofessional, public health research, education, and practice. The college is comprised of public health disciplines, health administration and policy, informatics, nursing, nutrition, and social work. The college offers a distinct array of degrees to support research and training of professionals dedicated to ensuring health and well-being for all. The college’s transdisciplinary research seeks to understand the many factors that influence the public’s health and well-being throughout the lifespan.  

The college enrolls more than 1,900 undergraduate and 1,300 graduate students in our nationally recognized programs, including 5 undergraduate degrees, 7 master’s degrees, and 4 doctoral degrees, and 10 certificate programs. Our graduates are uniquely prepared to thrive in an increasingly multicultural, multidisciplinary, community-focused public health landscape. 

Thumbnail photo by Jeffery Hamilton via Unsplash.