Friday Jan 30, 2026
Friday Jan 30, 2026
Friday, 30 January 2026 00:02 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
The Health Ministry yesterday said that the risk of Nipah virus transmission to Sri Lanka remains minimal, following reports of cases in West Bengal, India.
In a media statement, the Ministry said the Nipah virus is a zoonotic infection that primarily affects animals, particularly fruit bats, and can be transmitted to humans through close contact with infected animals or contaminated materials. Limited human-to-human transmission may occur through prolonged close contact with respiratory secretions or bodily fluids of infected individuals.
The Ministry stressed that the virus is not airborne and does not spread easily through casual contact, unlike influenza.
A limited number of cases have been reported in India, and the World Health Organisation (WHO) has not recommended any travel restrictions in relation to the outbreak, the statement said.
“At present, the risk of transmission to Sri Lanka is considered minimal,” the Ministry said.
Health authorities said Sri Lanka maintains a national disease surveillance system capable of early detection and rapid response to emerging infectious diseases, including laboratory diagnostic facilities at the Medical Research Institute to identify Nipah virus infection in the event of an imported case.
The Ministry said it continues to monitor the regional situation in coordination with the WHO and other partners, and urged the public to rely on official communications for accurate information. Authorities said preparedness measures are in place to respond promptly should a suspected case be detected.
