Indian authorities have contained a Nipah virus outbreak after confirming two cases in eastern West Bengal state. The Health Ministry said Tuesday that all contacts have been quarantined and tested negative. Nipah, a zoonotic virus spread by fruit bats, pigs and human contact, has a fatality rate of 40% to 75%, according to the WHO. Several Asian countries including Vietnam, Indonesia and Thailand have increased health screenings and border surveillance for travelers from India. Myanmar advised against nonessential travel to West Bengal. China is strengthening disease prevention measures in border areas. Earlier Nipah outbreaks were reported in West Bengal in 2001 and 2007. A major outbreak in 2018 killed at least 17 people in southern Kerala state.
