The Emerging Threat of the 2026 Nipah Virus Outbreak
- Marcelo Serafim
- Feb 3
- 5 min read
The Nipah virus (NiV) has once again captured global attention following a fresh outbreak in the West Bengal state of India in early 2026. This zoonotic pathogen, which is primarily transmitted from animals to humans, is notorious for its high case fatality rate, often ranging between 40% and 75%. While the virus is not a new discovery—having first been identified in 1998—its periodic resurgence highlights the persistent threat posed by emerging infectious diseases in South and Southeast Asia.
