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Communicable Diseases Agency
Press Releases

CDA taking first steps in response to Nipah virus infections, closely monitoring situation in West Bengal

28 January 2026

  1. The Communicable Diseases Agency (CDA) is closely monitoring the outbreak of Nipah virus infection (NiV) in West Bengal, India. This is the seventh Nipah virus outbreak in India since 2001. 

  2. NiV transmission currently is mainly by exposure to bats, and consumption of date palm sap or fruits contaminated by bats. Ongoing bio-surveillance programmes to monitor Singapore's bat populations since 2011 have not detected NiV.

  3. The outbreak in West Bengal however is reportedly between humans, with two cases so far. Human to human transmission is rare but does occur. In the current outbreak, transmission was reported to be within hospitals, i.e., between individuals who were in close contact, possibly including contact with bodily fluids. It remains localised to West Bengal, with no sustained community transmission currently reported.

  4. In Singapore, we have stepped up vigilance in the following ways:

    • First, NiV is a notifiable disease under the Infectious Diseases Act. Medical practitioners and laboratories are required to notify CDA immediately of all confirmed and suspected cases of NiV. 

    • Second, CDA has also alerted hospitals and emergency departments to be vigilant for NiV infections in patients with compatible symptoms and recent travel history to the affected area.

    • Third, health advisories will be disseminated to travellers at points of entry to Singapore, with instructions to seek medical attention if unwell after travel for inbound travellers, and health precautions for outbound travellers.

    • Fourth, we will set up temperature screening at the airport, for flights arriving from affected areas.

    • Fifth, the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) is stepping up surveillance of newly arrived migrant workers from South Asia, and engaging MOM primary care providers to increase vigilance.

    • Finally, we are also reaching out to our counterparts in South Asia, to better understand the situation. Work is ongoing to establish a global platform for countries to report genome sequencing of detected cases.

  5. Should new information emerge to indicate an increased public health risk to Singapore, CDA stands ready to introduce additional public health measures.

  6. To reduce the risk of exposure to NiV, CDA advises individuals travelling to affected areas to maintain vigilance and adopt the following health precautions when overseas:

    • Avoid food and drinks potentially contaminated by bats, such as raw date palm sap, and fruit found on the ground;

    • Avoid direct contact with unwell persons;

    • Avoid direct contact with animals (especially bats and pigs) and bat roosting areas;

    • Consume fully cooked food and fruits that can be washed and peeled; and

    • Maintain good personal hygiene.

  7. Travellers who develop symptoms during or after travel should seek prompt medical attention and inform their doctors of their recent travel and any potential exposure to raw date palm sap, bats or unwell persons.

COMMUNICABLE DISEASES AGENCY

28 JANUARY 2026