Written by: Sneha Jajoo
28 Jan 2026
Nipah virus is a rare but serious infection that has appeared in parts of India, like Kerala and West Bengal, in 2025. But how is this spreading? Let's understand.
Photo Credit: Freepik
Nipah is a virus that spreads from animals to humans — fruit bats are the main carriers.
Photo Credit: Freepik
You can catch Nipah by eating contaminated fruit, drinking raw date palm sap, and close contact with infected people.
Photo Credit: Freepik
Infection first looks like: - Fever - Headache - Muscle pain - Breathing trouble
Photo Credit: Freepik
Nipah may attack via the upper respiratory tract, spread to the bloodstream, reaches and affect the brain.
Photo Credit: Freepik
The virus can cause inflammation of blood vessels and the brain, which may lead to severe illness.
Photo Credit: Freepik
Symptoms can quickly escalate to: - Confusion - Seizures - Loss of consciousness - Difficulty breathing
Photo Credit: Freepik
To reduce the risk, avoid eating bitten or dropped fruit, and report early symptoms to a doctor.
Photo Credit: Freepik