Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 03:39am on 29 Jan 2026,Thursday Health & Wellness
UK health authorities have issued a health warning about the Nipah virus after two cases were confirmed in West Bengal, India, prompting increased airport screening and surveillance across several Asian countries. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) says the risk to the UK public remains very low, as no cases have been detected there, but emphasises travellers should be aware. Nipah is a zoonotic virus transmitted from animals like fruit bats to humans, through contaminated food, or via close contact, and has a high fatality rate (40–75 %). Initial symptoms include fever, headache, and respiratory issues, which can worsen to encephalitis or brain inflammation. There is no specific treatment or vaccine currently available, making vigilance essential.
