Bishkek, Feb. 3, 2026. /Kabar/. The risk of the Nipah virus spreading in the Kyrgyz Republic remains low, the Department of Disease Prevention and State Sanitary and Epidemiological Surveillance reported.
According to the agency, the virus has no natural foci in Kyrgyzstan and circulates mainly among certain species of tropical fruit bats. In addition, human-to-human transmission is limited compared to influenza and COVID-19.
In January 2026, five cases of Nipah virus infection were confirmed in India’s West Bengal state near Kolkata. Specialists describe the outbreak as local and seasonal.
Nipah virus is a zoonotic infection transmitted to humans from animals, primarily through consumption of fruits contaminated by bats or through contact with infected domestic animals, mainly pigs. Symptoms include high fever, severe headache, vomiting and, in some cases, neurological disorders.
The sanitary authorities continue to monitor the epidemiological situation and recommend that citizens traveling to India observe basic preventive measures.