Nipah Virus Outbreaks: How The Deadly Zoonotic Disease Affects Humans
· Free Press Journal
Nipah virus (NiV) is a highly contagious zoonotic disease that can spread from animals to humans and, in some cases, from person to person. It is a fatal zoonotic pathogen that spreads from animals to humans. It causes severe respiratory and neurological diseases. First identified during an outbreak in Malaysia in 1998, the virus is considered a serious public health threat due to its high fatality rate and the absence of a specific treatment or vaccine.
Kozhikode, Kerala: District Collector MS Madhavikutty says, "A 43-year-old male has been diagnosed with Nipah, and we were waiting for confirmation from the NID clinic. We have received the confirmation by this evening that the person has contracted the Nipah virus. Currently, he… pic.twitter.com/dMrhWmk7rV
Visit freshyourfeel.org for more information.
— IANS (@ians_india) June 11, 2026
About the Nipah Virus
Nipah virus belongs to a family called henipaviruses and is zoonotic, meaning it can spread from animals to humans. Fruit bats are considered the natural carriers. Although outbreaks are typically limited in scale, the severity of infection makes early detection and isolation critical. Fruit bats of the Pteropus genus, commonly known as flying foxes, are the natural hosts of the Nipah virus. Humans can become infected through direct contact with infected animals, consumption of contaminated food products such as raw date palm sap, or close contact with infected individuals.
In the wake of the #NipahOutbreak in #Keralam, experts from the National Centre for Disease Control reached Kozhikode district to review the containment measures.
— All India Radio News (@airnewsalerts) June 13, 2026
A 43-year-old man from Ramanattukara, who tested positive for the Nipah virus, is undergoing ventilator support at… pic.twitter.com/Bv7JFpd25o
Symptoms
The symptoms of Nipah virus infection can range from mild to severe. Early signs often include fever, headache, muscle pain, sore throat and vomiting. In severe cases, the disease can rapidly progress to respiratory distress, encephalitis (inflammation of the brain), seizures and coma. The incubation period typically ranges from four to 14 days, although some cases have reported longer periods.
Diphtheria Outbreak In Australia: Rare Disease Resurfaces After 50 Years, Raises Global Concern; Everything You Should Know#WATCH | Thiruvananthapuram | On Nipah virus case, Keralam Health Minister K. Muraleedharan says," The patient's condition is as before; All tests are negative (test reports of contacts of the patient from Pune Virology institute)."
— ANI (@ANI) June 13, 2026
On Shigella cases, he says, "It is under… pic.twitter.com/Ra2ZypwXzf
Outbreaks in Kerala
An outbreak of the virus has been reported in Kerala after a suspected case of Nipah virus was officially confirmed in the Kozhikode area. A 43-year-old man with encephalitis symptoms who had been undergoing treatment at the Government Medical College (MCH), Kozhikode, has now been confirmed to have Nipah virus. The health department is now tracing and isolating those who came into contact with the patient. In 2018, Kerala witnessed the deadliest outbreak of the virus, with 21 reported deaths among the 23 infected patients.