The Nipah virus, which currently has no known vaccine, has prompted numerous Asian countries to bolster their border security. ‌With a mortality rate 75 times higher than COVID, this virus is among the 260 known viruses with the potential to cause epidemics or even pandemics. Following an outbreak of the Nipah virus in West Bengal, an eastern state of India, several Asian countries have reinstated COVID-style screenings at borders and airports, fearing that this virus could spark the next worldwide pandemic. The cases were initially identified as suspected Nipah virus infections on January 11 by the Viral Research and Diagnostic Laboratory at a government hospital in Kalyani. Article continues belowThe WHO remains in close collaboration with national and state health authorities in India to assist with risk assessment, surveillance, and outbreak response initiatives.