Nipah Virus Cases Seldom Reported in Asia

When visiting areas in central Asia, travelers may become ill with fevers and headaches, occasionally leading to acute encephalitis. According to local health ministries, the cause could be Nipah virus (NiV).

It is estimated that about 40% of people with NiV may die.

According to the UK Travel Health Pro on April 4, 2025, most human infections result from direct contact with animals, particularly pigs and bats, in a few Asian countries, such as Bangladesh, India, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Singapore.

For example, Bangladesh has already reported three cases of NiV in people this year.

In the Indian state of Kerala, the Health Department has started awareness activities ahead of the bat breeding season in five districts considered to be hotspots for the zoonotic infection: Kozhikode, Malappuram, Kannur, Wayanad, and Ernakulam. 

In 2023, Kerala experienced multiple Nipah outbreaks. Three of these outbreaks were contained to the Kozhikode district. 

However, the causes of these NiV outbreaks remain unclear.

While these outbreaks are concerning, the UK says the 'risk of NiV infection for tourists to endemic countries is currently very low, if the following precautions are taken.'

Unfortunately, NiV preventive vaccines are unavailable in 2025.

The World Health Organization says Nipah vaccine candidates include live-attenuated and replication-defective recombinant vaccine platforms based on poxviruses, VSV, adenovirus, measles, rabies, and virus-like particles and subunit vaccines. 

As of April 6, 2025, neither the U.S. Food and Drug Administration nor the European Medicines Agency has authorized a vaccine or treatment for Nipah, but clinical trials are ongoing.