Global Virus Network says Nipah virus cases in India are a ‘low risk’ of spread

The Global Virus Network has confirmed that recent reports of Nipah virus infection in India – while serious – reflect a long-established regional pattern rather than an emerging global threat but has underlined the importance of surveillance

The Global Virus Network (GVN) has reported that it is closely monitoring confirmed cases of Nipah virus infection in India, while emphasising that such events, although grave, are neither unexpected nor unprecedented. The organisation, which represents eminent human and animal virologists from more than 90 centres of excellence and affiliates across more than 40 countries, stated that sporadic Nipah virus infections have occurred almost annually in parts of South Asia, particularly in India and Bangladesh and do not currently pose a global threat.

Nipah virus is a zoonotic pathogen harboured primarily by fruit bats. Human infection has typically arisen through highly localised exposure routes, including contact with infected animals or consumption of food contaminated with bat secretions. Although transmission from person to person has been documented, it has remained uncommon and has generally required very close contact during the acute phase of illness.

“Overall, the risk of regional or global spread of Nipah virus is very low,” said Professor Linfa Wang, director of the GVN Centre of Excellence at Duke-NUS Medical School in Singapore.

“Similar outbreaks have occurred repeatedly in India and Bangladesh, driven largely by specific cultural and environmental factors rather than sustained human transmission,” he said.

The GVN stated that countries with robust public-health infrastructure and surveillance capacity are well positioned to mitigate the risks associated with Nipah virus through early detection, heightened clinical awareness and rapid diagnostic testing. Such measures have proved effective in limiting onward transmission during previous outbreaks in the region.

The network has continued to follow developments through its global system of affiliates and centres of excellence, including the Institute of Advanced Virology in Kerala, India. The institute operates as a GVN affiliate through centres of excellence at University College Dublin, Ireland and Hokkaido University, Japan.

Researchers at the Kerala institute have pursued active programmes of Nipah virus research, epidemiological surveillance and development of novel diagnostic tests.

At present, no vaccines or antiviral therapies have received regulatory approval for use against Nipah virus. However, several candidate interventions have shown encouraging data in animal models.

“Progress depends on sustained public-good investment and international cooperation,” Professor Wang said.

The GVN has underscored that the current outbreak does not constitute a global emergency. Instead, it serves as a reminder of the persistent threat posed by emerging and re-emerging zoonotic viruses, and of the need for continuous surveillance, strong diagnostic capability, and globally connected scientific networks to detect and counter such risks at an early stage.

The GVN’s mission is to strengthen pandemic preparedness against viral pathogens that threaten public health. The organisation has advanced this mission through data-driven research, development of future virology leaders, and enhancement of global readiness and response capacity. It has coordinated closely with local, national, and international scientific institutions and government agencies to support real-time virus surveillance, informatics, and response strategies, with a focus on education and training, qualitative and quantitative research, and global health solutions.