Over the past week, news surrounding the emerging infectious disease caused by the Nipah Virus (NiV) has captured significant public attention. What is the current status of its spread? How serious are the symptoms, and how does it compare to COVID-19? On 29 January 2026, an infectious disease specialist from the Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University (KKU), provided clarification.
“Nipah Virus is an infectious disease caused by an RNA virus, similar to the COVID-19 virus. When an infection occurs, it establishes a disease that has a relatively high fatality rate, ranging from 40% to 75%. Furthermore, NiV is one of 13 severe communicable diseases identified by the World Health Organization (WHO) for mandatory tracking and surveillance.”
Associate Professor Piroon Mootsikapun, M.D., Head of the Sub-specialty of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, and President of the Infectious Disease Association of Thailand (2025–2027), also addressed the current situation regarding the Nipah Virus. He stated that there are currently only two confirmed infections, with 190 close contacts being monitored and investigated. Recent confirmation revealed that none of the close contacts tested positive, leading to the official declaration that the outbreak risk has been contained.
However, Associate Professor Piroon noted that Nipah Virus is a zoonotic virus. Its main reservoirs are fruit bats (flying foxes) and pigs. Humans or animals can contract the disease by coming into contact with these animals’ secretions. Furthermore, human-to-human transmission is also possible. While there is currently no scientific evidence confirming that fruit bitten by animals can transmit NiV to humans, a serious Nipah outbreak previously occurred in Bangladesh due to contamination from fruit bat secretions in raw date palm sap extracted from the palm tree, which subsequently led to human infection.
Associate Professor Piroon further explained that the Nipah Virus can affect the body in two primary ways:
- Cerebral Infection: Symptoms include confusion, disorientation, seizures, loss of consciousness, drowsiness, and impaired alertness, potentially leading to acute encephalitis. This presentation was observed during the epidemics in Singapore and Malaysia.
- Upper Respiratory Infection: During the outbreaks in Bangladesh and India, the primary presentation involved upper respiratory symptoms such as coughing, sneezing, and runny nose. Some cases progressed to pneumonia, pulmonary oedema, or even heart failure. The clinical manifestation of the disease thus varies depending on the region of the outbreak.
The incubation period for NiV ranges from seven to 14 days, potentially extending up to three weeks. Individuals with a risk history, such as those returning from high-risk areas in India or Bangladesh (like West Bengal) who exhibit symptoms, can undergo screening. This includes RT-PCR nasal swabs, spinal fluid analysis, blood tests, and urinalysis. However, unlike COVID-19, there are currently no ATK or rapid test kits available, and there is no direct vaccine treatment.
“Although there is no current public health concern regarding an immediate outbreak in Thailand, the Ministry of Public Health (MOPH) and various hospitals, including Srinagarind Hospital, are not complacent. They are systematically prepared to manage Nipah Virus infections to prevent its spread within the country and avoid widespread public impact similar to COVID-19. Therefore, while citizens should maintain awareness, they should not panic or worry excessively, as the current probability of an outbreak in Thailand remains zero,” stated Associate Professor Piroon.
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ภาพ : ปุณยวัจน์ คุณทิพย์ นักศึกษาฝึกปฏิบัติสหกิจศึกษา ชั้นปีที่ 4 สาขาวิชาภาษาไทย คณะมนุษยศาสตร์และสังคมศาสตร์ และ นายณัฐดนัย อุปนันท์ นักศึกษาฝึกประสบการณ์สหกิจศึกษา ชั้นปีที่ 2 เทียบโอน ปวส. มหาวิทยาลัยศรีปทุม วิทยาเขตขอนแก่น
