GENEVA

The World Health Organization (WHO) said Friday that two confirmed cases of Nipah virus have been reported in India’s West Bengal state, but assessed the risk as low at the national, regional and global levels.

India notified the WHO on Monday of the two cases, which remain the only confirmed infections to date. Both patients are receiving supportive care in a health facility and did not travel while symptomatic, according to Anais Legand, a technical officer with the WHO Health Emergencies Program.

"No cases have been reported in any other country associated with this outbreak," she told reporters in Geneva.

Indian authorities have activated outbreak control measures, including enhanced surveillance, laboratory testing, contact tracing and patient support. Field investigations are underway to determine the source of infection and assess whether there has been any further spread, the WHO explained.

More than 190 contacts of the two confirmed cases are being closely monitored. According to the WHO, none of the contacts have developed symptoms or tested positive.

Nipah virus is a rare but serious disease that can be transmitted from infected animals, particularly fruit bats, to humans through direct contact or contaminated food products such as raw date palm sap. It can also spread through person-to-person transmission.

The official said WHO remains in close contact with Indian authorities and will continue to monitor the situation and provide technical support as needed.

India has recorded small numbers of Nipah cases in the past and has demonstrated the capacity to contain the events, said WHO, adding that in the past five years, a dozen confirmed cases were reported in India, all in Kerala State.