The Department of Disease Prevention and State Sanitary Epidemiological Surveillance reported that the risk of Nipah virus spread in Kyrgyzstan is assessed as low.
What is the Nipah virus
The Nipah virus is a zoonotic pathogen transmitted from animals to humans, with its main carriers being fruit bats from the family Pteropodidae, known as "flying foxes."
This virus was first identified in 1999 in Malaysia during an outbreak among pig farmers. Since then, 12 outbreaks of the disease have been recorded in South Asia.
Current situation
In January 2026, a new outbreak was recorded in the Indian state of West Bengal, near Kolkata, where five cases of the disease have been confirmed. Experts suggest that this outbreak is local and seasonal in nature.
Risk assessment for Kyrgyzstan
According to information from the state sanitary epidemiological surveillance, the likelihood of the Nipah virus appearing and spreading in Kyrgyzstan is low for the following reasons:
- there are no recorded natural foci of infection in the country;
- the virus is present only in certain tropical species of bats;
- human-to-human transmission of the virus is limited, unlike COVID-19 and influenza;
- the infection is primarily transmitted via the fecal-oral route;
- infection can occur through the consumption of fruits (especially dates) that have been contaminated with the saliva or urine of infected bats;
- infection is also possible through contact with infected pigs that may have contracted the virus from bats.
- high fever;
- severe headache;
- vomiting, sore throat;
- neurological manifestations may occur: dizziness, drowsiness, confusion.
- wash hands thoroughly with soap and use sanitizers;
- always wash fruits and vegetables before consumption;
- do not drink water from unverified sources;
- avoid contact with sick animals (bats, pigs);
- if symptoms appear (high fever, severe headache, pronounced cough), seek medical attention immediately.
