There are no confirmed cases of Nipah virus in Vanuatu or the Pacific, but health authorities are closely monitoring the virus.
Vanuatu health authorities are closely watching developments after an outbreak of the Nipah virus was confirmed in West Bengal, India, prompting countries across Asia and the Pacific region to step up health surveillance and precautionary measures.
Health authorities in the country are closely following developments related to the Nipah virus outbreak in West Bengal, India.
The World Health Organization (WHO) lists the Nipah virus as a high-risk, priority pathogen because of its high fatality rate and potential to cause serious outbreaks. The virus is zoonotic, meaning it can spread from animals , especially fruit bats or flying foxes ,to humans, and between people through close contact. There is no approved vaccine or specific cure, with treatment focused on supportive care.
How the Virus Causes Outbreaks
Nipah virus was first identified during an outbreak in Malaysia and Singapore in 1998–99, when pig farmers became infected after exposure to flying foxes and infected pigs. Since then, the virus has appeared sporadically across South and Southeast Asia, including recurring outbreaks in Bangladesh and the Indian states of West Bengal and Kerala.
The current cluster in West Bengal was confirmed by India’s National Centre for Disease Control, with two confirmed cases reported since December 2025. Both cases involved healthcare workers. Authorities say 196 contacts have been traced, tested and all returned negative results, with containment efforts ongoing.
Indian health authorities and WHO have stressed that while the outbreak is serious, there is no evidence of widespread transmission beyond those cases. Officials have urged the public and media to avoid unverified reports, saying the situation remains under control and localized.
Regional and International Response
Although no cases have been reported in the Pacific, several Asian countries have introduced precautionary border health measures.
Thailand has screened more than 1,700 travellers arriving from India and placed key hospitals on standby. Singapore has announced temperature screenings and enhanced vigilance while confirming no Nipah cases locally. Nepal, Taiwan, Indonesia, and Malaysia have also stepped up airport surveillance and traveller health checks.
Some governments have issued travel advisories or reinforced health declarations at ports of entry as precautionary measures.
Pacific Preparedness and Surveillance
Pacific island countries, are participating in regional health surveillance networks coordinated with WHO and the Pacific Public Health Surveillance Network. These systems monitor symptoms such as fever and respiratory illness to help detect emerging threats early and support rapid response actions if required.
Public health experts continue to stress a “One Health” approach, which links human, animal, and environmental health, as essential in managing zoonotic diseases like Nipah, particularly in island nations.
Key Facts About Nipah Virus
The virus is transmitted from animals such as flying foxes and through human-to-human contact. Symptoms include fever, headache, vomiting, respiratory distress, and in severe cases, encephalitis or brain inflammation. Fatality rates range between 40 and 75 percent depending on the outbreak. There is currently no vaccine, and treatment is limited to supportive care.
What This Means for Vanuatu
While no Nipah virus cases have been reported in Vanuatu or elsewhere in the Pacific, health authorities say they remain vigilant and will continue monitoring developments closely. The Ministry of Health says it will provide updates as more information becomes available.
References
- World Health Organization (WHO) – Nipah Virus Fact Sheets and Risk Assessments
- National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), India – West Bengal Nipah Virus Updates
- Indian Ministry of Health and Family Welfare – Official Statements
- Pacific Public Health Surveillance Network (PPHSN)
- Vanuatu Ministry of Health – Monitoring and Preparedness Briefings
