From Spillover to Spread: Nipah Virus and the Urgent Need for a One Health Response

Nipah virus is a highly virulent zoonotic pathogen belonging to the genus Henipavirus and family Paramyxoviridae that causes severe encephalitic and respiratory illness in humans. With mortality rates ranging from 40% to more than 70%, the absence of licensed vaccines or specific antiviral therapies, and established human-to-human transmission poses Nipah virus a substantial epidemic and pandemic risk. Recurrent outbreaks across South and Southeast Asia, particularly in India and Bangladesh, underscore ongoing weaknesses at the human–animal–environment interface. In response to these concerns, the World Health Organization has identified Nipah virus as a priority pathogen under its Research and Development Blueprint. The intricate transmission ecology of Nipah virus, involving wildlife reservoirs, intermediate animal hosts, environmental influences, and healthcare-related spread, emphasizes the urgent need for a coordinated One Health approach to support effective prevention and control efforts.