The World Health Organisation has said the risk of the deadly Nipah virus spreading is "low". PARIS: Named for the Malaysian village where it was first identified, the Nipah virus is an infectious disease transmitted primarily by bats. Often fatal, its potential to spread has so far been considered limited by scientists. The death of a woman in Bangladesh and the confirmation of several cases in northeastern India in early 2026 reignited fears of wider spread and even a potential pandemic