In the Indian state of West Bengal, two people have contracted Nipah virus, a disease mainly transmitted by fruit bats. The risk of infection with Nipah virus in the Netherlands is negligible. Fruit bats do not live here and there are no infected people. General travel advice applies to travelers to West Bengal to reduce the chance of infection.

According to official sources (external link), two people in the Indian state of West Bengal have been infected with the Nipah virus. These two confirmed cases are hospital staff. A total of 196 contacts have been traced. None of them showed symptoms and all tested negative for the virus. 

Primarily transmitted via fruit bats 

The Nipah virus occurs only in Southeast and South Asia. Outbreaks occur annually in Bangladesh and occasionally in India. The disease is mainly transmitted via fruit bats, but can also spread through other animals. People can become ill by drinking fresh fruit (juice) and contact with bodily fluids of an infected person. 

Mild to severe symptoms 

Not everyone infected with the Nipah virus develops symptoms. Those who do can experience mild to severe symptoms. Mortality among patients is 40 to 75%. Therefore, it is important that travelers take measures to avoid infection. 

Advice for travelers to West Bengal 

The risk of infection is very low for Dutch travelers. They can follow these recommendations to minimize the chance of contracting the virus:  

  • Do not touch animals, including their saliva, blood, or excrement.  
  • Do not eat food that may be contaminated with saliva or excrement from fruit bats.  
  • Do not drink (unboiled) date palm sap.  
  • Wash, peel, and cook fruits and vegetables before eating.  
  • Avoid contact with infected persons.