The World Health Organisation (WHO) said on January 30, 2026, that the risk of the deadly Nipah virus spreading from India is low. India reported two cases of the virus infection recently. WHO does not recommend any travel or trade restrictions following these cases. Asian countries like Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam have increased airport screening to prevent spread. "The WHO considers the risk of further spread of infection from these two cases to be low," the agency told Reuters. It added that India has the ability to contain such outbreaks. There is "no evidence yet of increased human-to-human transmission," WHO said. The virus is carried by fruit bats and animals like pigs. It causes fever and brain inflammation and has a fatality rate between 40% and 75%. No cure exists, though vaccines are under development and testing. Infection happens from contact with infected bats or contaminated fruit. Person-to-person spread needs close and prolonged contact, making it rare. WHO said the source of infection is not fully understood but has been coordinating with Indian health authorities. Nipah is classed as a priority pathogen because it has a high fatality rate, no licensed vaccine or treatment, and could mutate to spread more easily. The two infected health workers are in hospital in West Bengal. India sees small outbreaks regularly, especially in Kerala and West Bengal. This is India's seventh Nipah outbreak and the third in West Bengal, which borders Bangladesh that reports yearly outbreaks. The first outbreak in India happened in 2018 with many deaths.