Inp.polri.go.id - Jakarta.The Ministry of Health has called for increased public vigilance following new confirmed cases of the Nipah virus in West Bengal, India. 

While no human cases have been reported in Indonesia to date, officials warn that the country remains at high risk due to its geographic proximity and high mobility with affected regions.

"Indonesia is a risk area. Research has already detected the presence of the virus in local fruit bat populations, which serve as the natural host," said Murti Utami, the Director General of Disease Control at Kemenkes, on Sunday (1/2/2026), as cited by antaranews.com.

The Nipah virus is a zoonotic pathogen that can be transmitted from bats (Pteropus sp.) to humans through contaminated food or intermediate hosts like pigs. Human-to-human transmission is also possible through close contact. 

Symptoms range from mild respiratory infections to severe encephalitis (brain inflammation), which can be fatal. In response, health screenings at major entry points like Soekarno-Hatta International Airport have been intensified, requiring international travelers to use the ALL Indonesia health application.

(mg/inp/pr/rs)