Lok Sabha Question No. 5749 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-27
Subject: Nipah Virus Outbreak
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: Shri Balwant Baswant Wankhade

## GOVERNMENT OFINDIA MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE DEPARTMENT OFHEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5749 TO BE ANSWERED ON 27.03.2026

## NIPAH VIRUS OUTBREAK

## 5749. SHRI BALWANT BASWANT WANKHADE:

Will the MINISTER OFHEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE be pleased to state:-

- (a) the details of the number of Nipah virus infections and deaths recorded in the country during the last five years, year-wise and State/UT-wise;
- (b) the measures taken by the Government to contain the outbreak of Nipah virus across the country;
- (c) whether the Government is developing any contingency plans in case of nation-wide outbreak of Nipah virus, if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
- (d) whether any reasons have been identified by the Government for the sudden and frequent outbreaks of Nipah virus in the country during the last few years; and
- (e) whether the Government has considered constituting a National Taskforce to address the increase in outbreaks, if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OFSTATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH & FAMILY WELFARE (SHRI PRATAPRAO JADHAV)

- (a): The details of cases and deaths due to Nipah virus disease reported by States/UTs on the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP) -Integrated Health Information Platform (IHIP) portal during the past five years are placed at Annexure-I.
- (b) & (c): The control measures undertaken and contingency plans for prevention and containment of Nipah virus disease outbreaks are placed at Annexure-II.
- (d): Nipah virus disease is an emerging zoonotic infectious disease caused by the Nipah virus (NiV) that mainly affects pigs and humans. Human infections usually occur in clusters or outbreaks, particularly among close contacts and caregivers of infected individuals. The natural reservoir host of the virus is believed to be Pteropus fruit bats (flying foxes).

According to the information available fruit bats play a significant role in the transmission of the virus. Human infections may occur due to spillover of the virus from fruit bats to intermediate hosts or directly to humans. In India, outbreaks have been associated with exposure to contaminated food sources and close contact with infected individuals, which may lead to periodic occurrence of cases in certain geographical areas.

- (e): A National Joint Outbreak Response Team (NJORT) comprising experts from the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Forest & Wildlife authorities and human health sector, along with bat survey teams, has been constituted and deployed during outbreaks for comprehensive assessment and response.

| State & Districts wise Cases and Deaths reported in Nipah Disease Outbreaks by States/UTs as per IDSP-IHIP portal for the last five years   | State & Districts wise Cases and Deaths reported in Nipah Disease Outbreaks by States/UTs as per IDSP-IHIP portal for the last five years   | State & Districts wise Cases and Deaths reported in Nipah Disease Outbreaks by States/UTs as per IDSP-IHIP portal for the last five years   | State & Districts wise Cases and Deaths reported in Nipah Disease Outbreaks by States/UTs as per IDSP-IHIP portal for the last five years   | State & Districts wise Cases and Deaths reported in Nipah Disease Outbreaks by States/UTs as per IDSP-IHIP portal for the last five years   |
|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| S. No.                                                                                                                                      | Year                                                                                                                                        | State (District)                                                                                                                            | Total cases                                                                                                                                 | Total deaths                                                                                                                                |
| 1                                                                                                                                           | 2021                                                                                                                                        | Kerala (Kozhikode)                                                                                                                          | 1                                                                                                                                           | 1                                                                                                                                           |
| 2                                                                                                                                           | 2023                                                                                                                                        | Kerala (Kozhikode)                                                                                                                          | 6                                                                                                                                           | 2                                                                                                                                           |
| 3                                                                                                                                           | 2024                                                                                                                                        | Kerala (Malappuram)                                                                                                                         | 2                                                                                                                                           | 2                                                                                                                                           |
| 4                                                                                                                                           | 2025                                                                                                                                        | Kerala (Malappuram & Palakkad)                                                                                                              | 4                                                                                                                                           | 2                                                                                                                                           |
| 5                                                                                                                                           | 2026                                                                                                                                        | West Bengal (North 24 Pargana)                                                                                                              | 2                                                                                                                                           | 1                                                                                                                                           |

## The control measures undertaken and contingency plans for prevention and containment of Nipah virus disease outbreaks:

- I. Through surveillance mechanism the early warning signals are captured to generate alerts, detect outbreaks in the early rising phase, outbreak investigations are conducted and timely appropriate measures are undertaken by the respective public health agencies to control and prevent the further spread of the disease.
- II. Whole genome sequencing was performed on clinical specimens from all positive cases. This genomic surveillance aids in understanding the circulating Nipah virus strain, which belong to similar genotypes of 2019 and 2021 outbreaks in Kerala.
- III. Beyond the immediate outbreak response, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (MoHFW) maintained continued support and collaborative engagement with both Virus Research and Diagnostic Laboratories (VRDLs) throughout the year, ensuring training, a steady supply of Personal protective equipment (PPE) and diagnostic reagents. This sustained effort underscores a commitment to strengthening regional capacities for infectious disease preparedness and response.
- IV. The State and Central Government health officials worked to enhance public and healthcare professional awareness regarding Nipah virus disease. These initiatives ensured that individuals were made aware on the signs and symptoms of the disease and understood the appropriate actions to take if they suspected an infection in themselves or others.
- V. Under the MoHFW, Integrated Disease Surveillance Program (IDSP) is an important programme, which mandates surveillance & response to outbreak prone communicable diseases. IDSP is implemented in all 36 States/UTs. The program is responsible for the surveillance of 50 plus epidemic prone diseases and outbreak investigation. IDSP plays a crucial role in prompt response and surveillance of emerging and re-emerging diseases including Nipah Virus disease in the country.
- VI. Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and ICMR- National Institute of Virology (NIV), Pune, have strengthened Nipah surveillance by enhancing Acute Encephalitis Syndrome (AES) in Kerala state and Severe Acute Respiratory Illness (SARI) surveillance in West Bengal and Kerala since October-November 2024.
- VII. Acomprehensive guideline on Nipah Virus has been prepared which can be accessed on the link: https://ncdc.mohfw.gov.in/nipah-virus-guidelines/.
- VIII. UnderNational OneHealthProgrammeforPreventionandControlofZoonoticDiseases (NOHP-PCZ) various initiatives are taken to strengthen prevention, detection, and response capacities for zoonotic diseases in India, including Nipah Virus Disease (NiV).
- IX. For institutionalization of One Health at National, State and district level -Zoonosis committee have been formed in All States /UTs to review status of all zoonotic diseases including Nipah virus
- X. Capacity Building of medical and veterinary professional up to frontline health /vet workers is done through Regional and state level institutes.
- XI. For understanding burden of priority zoonosis and efficient management 75 Sentinel Surveillance Sites in 28 States/ UTs are strengthened under medical colleges/vet colleges.
- XII. Centre for One Health, NCDC has prepared a Technical Guidance on Zoonotic Disease, including Nipah Virus Disease that may be accessed at link: https://ncdc.mohfw.gov.in/wpcontent/uploads/2024/04/Technical-Guidance-on-Zoonotic-Disease.pdf.
- XIII. Information,Education,andCommunication(IEC)videoonNipahvirusdiseasehasbeen prepared to create awareness in the public and prevent the spread of the disease. The IEC may be accessed at link: https://ncdc.mohfw.gov.in/iec-material-on-zoonotic-disease-nipah/.

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