Centre says West Bengal has two confirmed Nipah cases; warns against ‘speculative’ counts as airports tighten screening

The Union government on Tuesday, 27 January 2026, said West Bengal has reported only two confirmed cases of Nipah Virus Disease since December and cautioned that “speculative and incorrect” numbers were being circulated. The statement comes as some Asian airports tightened health surveillance for travellers linked to West Bengal, fuelling anxiety among passengers and the travel ecosystem.

What the Health Ministry said

According to the ministry’s statement, the case count stands at two confirmed infections, and the Centre is coordinating with the state government on containment measures. The ministry also said contact tracing has been carried out for people linked to the confirmed cases, with the identified contacts monitored and tested.

The ministry’s emphasis was twofold: first, to underline that no additional cases have been detected so far beyond the confirmed figure it cited; second, to push back against unverified reporting that could trigger panic or misinformation-driven behaviour.

Why the political signal matters

Beyond the immediate public-health response, the messaging is also about governance and coordination: a central assurance that protocols are active, surveillance and testing are ongoing, and the situation is being monitored. When international screening measures begin, the reputational and economic spillovers can become a political concern for both state and central administrations.

What travellers and the public should do

• Rely on official updates from health authorities rather than viral forwards or unverified counts
• Follow local advisories on testing, isolation, and hospital visitation rules if issued
• Check airline/airport guidance if travelling internationally, as screening rules can change quickly

Authorities said public health measures are in place and monitoring will continue, while urging responsible communication to avoid amplifying fear.