Pakistan raises alarm as Nipah virus spreads in India ahead of T20 World Cup

ISLAMABAD: Information Minister Atta Tarar has expressed concern over the spread of the Nipah virus in India, calling the situation “potentially serious” as multiple reports emerge.

The minister made the remarks in response to a tweet by sports journalist Saleem Khaleeq, who warned that the T20 World Cup could be affected due to the presence of the virus.

Khaleeq wrote that a new virus has appeared in India, sparking global fears. Foreign players may hesitate to travel to India, which could impact the tournament. Since Sri Lanka is also a co-host, the International Cricket Council (ICC) may consider shifting some matches there.

This seems to be serious. Have come across many reports on this. https://t.co/kqb3fOUnDD

— Attaullah Tarar (@TararAttaullah) January 28, 2026

The deadly Nipah virus outbreak in West Bengal, India, has raised concerns across parts of Asia.

Several countries have tightened airport screening measures.

Experts have warned that while the virus spreads less easily than COVID-19, it is far more lethal. Unlike COVID-19, which has a death rate of 1–2%, Nipah virus infections can kill 30–40% of those affected.

Screening Measures and Cases

Following reports of the outbreak, Thailand has begun screening passengers arriving from West Bengal at three airports.

Nepal is monitoring arrivals at Kathmandu airport and other land border points with India.

Since December, two confirmed cases have been reported in West Bengal, reportedly among healthcare workers. Indian health authorities traced 196 contacts, all of whom tested negative.

The virus can spread from animals to humans and has a very high fatality rate, as there is currently no vaccine or cure.

How Nipah Virus Spreads

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), Nipah virus (NiV) is a rapidly spreading virus that causes severe disease in animals and humans.

First identified in 1998 among pigs in the Malaysian town of Nipah, the virus can have a long incubation period — up to 45 days in some cases.

This means an infected person may show symptoms weeks after exposure, potentially spreading the virus to many others. The virus can also infect humans through direct contact with infected animals or contaminated food.

Symptoms

Symptoms in humans include difficulty breathing, coughing, sore throat, fatigue, body aches, and encephalitis (brain inflammation), which can be fatal. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) links Nipah infections to encephalitis, which damages the brain.

The first recognized Nipah outbreak occurred in 1998 among pig farmers in Malaysia and later spread to Singapore.

Past Outbreaks

Over 100 people died, and over a million pigs were culled to control the virus, causing significant economic losses.

Bangladesh has been heavily affected, with over 100 deaths reported from 2001 to the present. In India, outbreaks occurred in West Bengal in 2001 and 2007.

Recently, the southern state of Kerala has been a hotspot, with 19 cases reported in 2018, of which 17 were fatal, and six confirmed cases in 2023, two of which were fatal.