The name "Nipah" suddenly began to appear in headlines around the world - and for many, this automatically evoked associations with "the new COVID". The virus is not new, the first outbreaks date back to the late 90s, but at the beginning of 2026 it is once again in the spotlight because of new cases in India and fears that it could become the next global threat.
The question that people are asking themselves is completely logical: "Are they just informing us or preparing us for a new pandemic?" To answer, it is important to distinguish the facts from the fears and to see what the data and experts are actually saying.
What exactly is the "Nipah" virus and how outbreaks occur
"Nipah" (Nipah virus, NiV) is a zoonotic virus - it is transmitted from animals to humans, its main natural reservoir is fruit bats. It was first discovered in 1998-1999 during an outbreak in Malaysia, associated with pig farms, with dozens of severe cases and high mortality described at the time.
Since then, local outbreaks have been periodically registered in South and Southeast Asia - in Malaysia, Bangladesh, India and isolated cases in Singapore. For India, the recurring episodes in the state of Kerala are most typical: outbreaks have been confirmed in 2018, 2019, 2021, 2023, 2024 and 2025, with a small number of cases, but a very high percentage of deaths.
The World Health Organization (WHO) describes "Nipah" as a virus with high mortality (in different outbreaks between 40 and 75%, and in individual episodes - over 90%), but with relatively limited spread - usually it is a matter of a few to dozens of cases in a specific region.
What happened in early 2026 and why the fuss
At the end of December 2025, two patients in India developed symptoms of severe infection, and in early January 2026 they were hospitalized and an infection with the "Nipah" virus was confirmed in them. The WHO published an official announcement of the outbreak, and the Indian authorities traced the contacts - over 190 people, including medical staff.
The good news is that by the end of January, none of these contacts tested positive or developed symptoms. The WHO assesses the risk of wider spread at national and regional level as "moderate" and the global risk as "low".
However, several Asian countries tightened controls at airports - temperature checks, questioning about symptoms and travel - not because they expect a pandemic, but as a preventive measure. Against the background of the experienced COVID‑19, any news about a "deadly virus" inevitably leads to a stronger media and public response.
"Nipah" and coronavirus: similarities and important differences
One of the most common misunderstandings is to put "Nipah" on the same line as SARS‑CoV‑2. Yes, both are viruses that can cause severe illness and be transmitted between people, but this is where the similarities almost end.
Main differences:
- Virus family – "Nipah" is a paramyxovirus, while COVID‑19 is caused by a coronavirus. This means a different structure, different mechanisms of infection and different potential therapies.
- Mode of transmission – SARS‑CoV‑2 is effectively transmitted by airborne droplets, including over long distances in enclosed spaces, which makes it highly contagious. "Nipah" is usually transmitted through close contact - from animals (bats, pigs) to humans or from person to person in very close, prolonged contact, often in a family setting or hospital.
- Symptoms – COVID‑19 most often affects the respiratory system, while "Nipah" often causes severe encephalitis (inflammation of the brain), with headaches, confusion, seizures and rapid deterioration.
- Infectiousness vs. mortality – in COVID‑19 the infectiousness is very high, and the mortality is relatively lower. In "Nipah" it is the opposite: it is more difficult to get infected, but in severe cases the risk of death is very high.
Therefore, most experts agree: at the moment "Nipah" does not show the characteristics of a virus that can cause a rapid global pandemic like COVID‑19. The danger with it is different - very severe local outbreaks with high mortality, especially in regions with weaker health systems.
Why then is so much being said about "Nipah" right now
The reasons are several and are more "informative" than apocalyptic:
- The fresh memory of COVID‑19 – after the global pandemic, society is much more sensitive to news about viruses. Any signal of a "new outbreak" is immediately amplified under a media microscope. Experts comment that we are living in the "era of increased anxiety", when well-known pathogens are perceived as potential "Disease X".
- WHO's priority list – "Nipah" is on the WHO's list of priority pathogens that have the potential to cause severe epidemics and for which there are no vaccines or specific treatment. This is not a prophecy of a pandemic, but a signal to the scientific community to invest in preparation – tests, vaccines, antiviral drugs.
- More openness and better surveillance – India and Bangladesh today openly report the cases and work with the WHO. This creates a feeling of "more outbreaks", but in fact many of them would have remained undiagnosed or unreported publicly before.
- Media effect – high mortality and the image of a "deadly virus from bats" are strong plot elements for the headlines. This often leads to dramatization, while the real risk assessment remains in the small print.
Are we being prepared for a "new coronavirus"? A realistic risk analysis
Hypotheses quickly appeared on social networks that "Nipah" is the new "scary virus" with which society is being prepared for new lockdowns, restrictions, etc. At this stage, the facts do not support such a scenario.
What we know from official assessments and scientific analyses:
- The WHO defines the risk from "Nipah" for the affected countries (India, Bangladesh) as moderate, and for the regional and global level – low.
- The outbreaks registered so far are small, localized and with clear chains of transmission. There is no data for uncontrolled, massive spread outside specific areas.
- Human-to-human transmission is observed, including in hospitals, but it is limited and requires close contact. There is no "explosive" dynamics, typical of highly airborne infections.
- At the same time, the high mortality, the lack of a vaccine and the possibility of evolution make "Nipah" a serious pathogen that should be monitored carefully – especially in areas with bat-reservoirs and intense contact between people and animals.
That is, it is more correct to talk not about "preparing for a new COVID", but about checking how well we have learned to react early to potential threats. After the pandemic, the scientific and health community are more likely to "blow the whistle" at smaller signals, precisely to avoid surprises.
What to expect in the near future
In the short term, the most important thing is to observe how India and neighboring countries manage the local outbreaks - contact tracing, case isolation, protection of medical personnel. Previous experience shows that with a quick response, outbreaks can be contained.
In the medium term, we can expect:
- more research on bats and other animal reservoirs that carry "Nipah";
- activating projects for the development of a vaccine and antiviral drugs - the virus is already on the list of priority "Disease X" candidates;
- more frequent information campaigns - including in Europe - to explain what "Nipah" is, how it is transmitted and why we are monitoring it.
The most likely scenario for the coming months is to see periodic news about limited outbreaks and measures in the affected regions, but not for a global pandemic. This, of course, does not mean that the risk is zero – but that to date the data does not support a "new COVID" scenario.
In a broader sense, the story with "Nipah" reminds us that we live in a time when the line between scientific reports and news headlines is very thin. That is why it is important to read the fine print – risk assessments, context and explanations from specialists – and not just the large print "deadly virus".