Nipah cases in India prompt regional vigilance and travel checks

Two healthcare workers in West Bengal have tested positive for Nipah virus, triggering international alerts. India says 196 contacts are asymptomatic and have tested negative, while neighbouring countries like Thailand and Nepal have stepped up traveller checks and surveillance. Nipah can cause severe disease with high mortality (40–75%) and currently has no specific treatment or vaccine; the WHO considers the immediate international spread risk to be low but calls for continued monitoring.