February 4, 2026 | 08:13 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Recently, there has been growing concern about the spread of the Nipah virus, which is transmitted from animals to humans (zoonotic). Researchers caution that this virus could become an epidemic if it is not anticipated and addressed early on.
A recent study has revealed that the Nipah virus is not widely spread across many countries. However, its impact can be severe as it targets the brain and causes encephalitis (brain inflammation). It has been reported that some individuals exposed to this virus never fully recover.
Referring to a study published on the Earth website on Monday, February 2, 2026, the containment of the Nipah virus spread depends on how quickly patients receive proper medical treatment. The report stated, "There is no vaccine and no antiviral treatment for the Nipah virus."
The impact of Nipah virus infection has been likened to approximately one in five people developing long-term issues, such as seizures, persistent fatigue, and noticeable behavioral changes. In rare cases, brain inflammation can recur long after an individual appears to have recovered, which can be fatal.
So far, Nipah outbreaks have only occurred in Asia. Nonetheless, the global health organization WHO is not overlooking it. This virus can be transmitted between humans and through domestic animals, meaning it has the potential, under the right conditions, to spread more extensively.
Transmission of Nipah Virus to Humans
Chief Virology Researcher at the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), Niluh Putu Indi Dharmayanti, explained that individuals affected by the Nipah virus have a high mortality rate. Although there have been no reported human cases in Indonesia to date, scientific evidence suggests that the virus is circulating in nature.
The Nipah virus was first identified during an outbreak in Malaysia in 1998. Subsequently, there were recurring incidents in several South and Southeast Asian countries. "The Nipah virus has serious impacts on public health, animal health, as well as social and economic aspects," she stated in a written statement on Saturday, January 31, 2026.
Indi explained that the Nipah virus belongs to the genus Henipavirus with natural reservoirs in fruit bats from the family Pteropodidae, particularly the genus Pteropus. These bats can carry the virus without showing any symptoms, yet they still have the potential to transmit it to other animals or humans.
Transmission of the Nipah virus to humans, according to Indi, can occur through several routes, including direct contact with infected animals, such as pigs; consumption of contaminated food; and human-to-human transmission. In several countries, NiV outbreaks have also been associated with the consumption of food contaminated with bat urine or saliva.
She advocated for the reinforcement of active surveillance in wildlife, domestic animals, and humans, as well as the enhancement of diagnostic capacities in various regions. Early detection is crucial to preventing the virus from spreading if it shifts to humans.
Irsyan Hasyim andDefara Dhanya contributed to the writing of this article
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