Related: Nipah Virus triggers health alerts in Asia

The patient was a woman between 40 and 50 years old from Naogaon District. She initially experienced fever, headache, muscle cramps, loss of appetite, weakness, and vomiting. Her condition later worsened with excessive salivation, disorientation, and convulsions. On 27 January, she lost consciousness and was referred to a tertiary hospital. She was admitted on 28 January, samples were collected by the Nipah surveillance team, and she died the same day.

Following laboratory confirmation, an outbreak investigation team that included One Health stakeholders began field investigations on 30 January. Health authorities identified 35 contact persons, including household, community, and hospital contacts. Six contacts who developed symptoms provided samples for testing, and all tested negative for Nipah virus. As of 3 February, no additional cases have been detected, and all identified contacts remain under monitoring.

WHO said Bangladesh continues to report small Nipah virus outbreaks at different times of the year, with cases occurring most often between December and April. This period coincides with the harvesting and consumption of raw date palm sap. Bangladesh reported its first Nipah virus infection in 2001 and has recorded human cases almost every year since. In 2025, the country reported four laboratory-confirmed fatal cases.

The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has implemented public health measures in response to the case. WHO assessed the overall public health risk posed by Nipah virus as low at the national, regional, and global levels. The organization also said the risk of international spread remains low.

Nipah virus infection is a zoonotic disease that spreads to humans through infected animals such as fruit bats or through food contaminated with saliva, urine, or excreta, and it can also transmit between people through close contact. Fruit bats, also called flying foxes of the Pteropus species, serve as the natural hosts. The incubation period usually ranges from three to 14 days, though rare cases have extended up to 45 days. Laboratory confirmation relies on a combination of tests during acute and recovery phases, including RT-PCR from bodily fluids and antibody detection using ELISA. Human infections range from no symptoms to acute respiratory illness and fatal encephalitis. Early symptoms include fever, headache, muscle pain, vomiting, and sore throat, followed in severe cases by dizziness, altered consciousness, neurological signs, pneumonia, acute respiratory distress, seizures, and rapid progression to coma within one to two days. – WHO

Kerala cases highlight localized risk

Recent Nipah virus (NiV) cases in India have once again put the disease in the public eye, despite outbreaks remaining largely localized. The latest report from the Indian government confirmed two NiV cases since December last year, with all contacts of the affected individuals quarantined and tested. Previously, between May 17 and July 12, 2025, Kerala state reported four confirmed cases, including two deaths, across Malappuram and Palakkad districts, marking the first-ever detection in Palakkad. Health officials said none of the cases appear linked to one another, suggesting independent spillover events from fruit bats, the natural reservoir of NiV.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), NiV is a bat-borne zoonotic virus that can spread to humans through contact with infected animals such as bats or pigs, consumption of contaminated food, and, less commonly, direct human-to-human contact. Symptoms range from fever, headache, and respiratory issues to severe neurological complications, including encephalitis, seizures, and coma. Fatality rates in outbreaks across South and Southeast Asia have ranged from 40 to 100 percent, depending on healthcare access and early intervention.

Kerala has experienced nine outbreaks since 2018, with varying severity. The 2025 cases follow a pattern observed in previous years, though authorities emphasize that the overall risk to the broader national and regional population remains low. Despite the limited geographic spread, recurring spillover events underscore the ongoing risk in Kerala and highlight the potential for NiV to emerge in other Indian states where fruit bats have tested positive for the virus.

The Kerala state government implemented immediate public health measures, including emergency coordination meetings, contact tracing of 723 individuals, route mapping of confirmed cases, and special alerts for hospitals in affected districts. Authorities also advised the public to limit non-essential visits to healthcare facilities and follow strict hygiene protocols.

WHO continues to coordinate with Indian health authorities, stressing awareness of risk factors, preventive measures, and early case detection. With no licensed vaccine or treatment available, WHO recommends boiling fresh date palm sap, thoroughly washing and peeling fruit, avoiding areas where bats roost, practicing good hand hygiene, and using protective measures in healthcare and animal-handling settings.

Recent media coverage of NiV reflects concerns about its high mortality and potential to spread through bat-to-human and limited human-to-human transmission. Even though the risk of international spread is considered low, many Asian countries are keeping a close watch on the potential spread of the disease. Several countries have begun taking steps to boost prevention measures, including rigid airport entry screenings modeled after Covid-19 protocols, along with ongoing public hygiene campaigns, to minimize the risk of infection among their populations.

Thailand tightens airport screening; no reported cases

Over in Thailand, the country’s Public Health Ministry has confirmed no Nipah cases in the country but has increased screening measures for air passengers arriving from India’s West Bengal state. Dr Sophon Iamsirithavorn, deputy permanent secretary for public health, and Dr Jurai Wongsawat, director-general of the Department of Disease Control, said passengers from West Bengal will undergo body temperature checks, provide personal and travel information, and receive health warning cards after flights land at Suvarnabhumi, Don Mueang, and Phuket airports. Passengers developing symptoms are advised to call the 1422 hotline for quarantine and verification. All suspected cases tested so far have been negative.

Dr Jurai said these measures apply only to West Bengal, as Indian authorities have contained the outbreak within the state. Thai health officials also noted that while some fruit bats in Thailand carry a strong strain of the virus, the greater risk comes from infected travelers. Authorities have banned pig farms in areas where the virus has been detected in bats to prevent transmission to humans. There is currently no vaccine or treatment for NiV infection.

Screening continues for visitors from affected countries, focusing on those with fever, respiratory symptoms, or recent travel to outbreak areas. Recent outbreaks in Bangladesh and India are under control, with no evidence of the virus in nearby countries.
As per recent reports, Health officials at Suvarnabhumi Airport have not detected any symptomatic passengers. Airport director Kittipong Kittikajorn said the measures follow international standards, allowing early detection while minimizing disruption. Authorities are also reviewing travel histories for arrivals from designated surveillance areas. Enhanced screening will continue to prevent possible importation of NiV into Thailand.

Nipah virus is a highly pathogenic zoonotic RNA virus that spreads through fruit bats, infected pigs, and human-to-human contact. It can cause severe respiratory illness and fatal encephalitis, with death rates ranging from 40 to 75%. The virus was first detected in humans in Malaysia in 1998 and later in Singapore in 1999, with more than 750 cases confirmed worldwide. Outbreaks have occurred in Bangladesh, India, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Singapore, with seasonal outbreaks in Bangladesh from December to May during date palm sap harvesting, and most infections in India reported in Kerala, often linked to hospital-based transmission. Fruit bats that carry the virus are found across Asia, the South Pacific, and Australia.Symptoms typically appear four to 14 days after infection and include fever, headache, cough, sore throat, and difficulty breathing. Severe cases may lead to brain swelling, confusion, drowsiness, seizures, and coma within 24 to 48 hours. People can become infected through direct contact with infected animals, consuming food or drinks contaminated by animals, or close contact with the body fluids of an infected person. Initial animal-to-human transmission, or spillover, often occurs through contaminated fruit or raw date palm sap, and once infected, the virus can spread between humans.

— Source: CDC

Taiwan moves to upgrade NiV alert level; warns against fruit bats

Taiwan has also taken precautionary measures in response to the Kerala outbreak. The country’s Health Ministry recommended upgrading NiV to a Category 5 infectious disease, citing growing concern after the recent cases in India.

Taiwan’s Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Deputy Director General Lin Min-Cheng said fruit bats are the primary carriers, adding that harvesting date palm sap poses a particular risk if consumed raw, as bats are attracted to the sap at night and may contaminate it.
Meanwhile, officials advised avoiding travel to areas with active NiV transmission, maintaining good hygiene, washing fruit thoroughly, and using protective equipment such as gloves, masks, and clothing when handling sick animals. Travelers should exercise caution when drinking coconut juice or consuming fruit that may have been contaminated by bats.

Hospitals are urged to enforce strict infection control measures to prevent exposure to the blood, bodily fluids, or waste of infected patients. Healthcare workers and visitors should clean and disinfect their hands with soap or alcohol-based sanitizers after contact.

Cambodia urges vigilance, practical preventive measures

On its end, Cambodia has likewise increased surveillance while confirming the presence of the virus in local bat populations. The Ministry of Health said the country has not detected any human cases but emphasized vigilance, noting the virulence of the disease. To prevent infection, Cambodia’s health authorities advised frequent handwashing, avoiding contact with bats, rodents, and infected swine, and maintaining hygiene after visiting farms. Suspected animal outbreaks should prompt immediate quarantine, with infected animals culled and properly buried or cremated. Protective gloves and clothing should be used when handling sick animals, animal waste, or infected people, including during slaughter, disposal, and direct contact.

Philippines ready to monitor cases; advises well-cooked food

The Philippines has confirmed its readiness to test for NiV and monitor potential cases. According to news reports, Health Assistant Secretary Albert Domingo said the country has experience handling the virus, explaining that 17 cases were reported in Sultan Kudarat in 2014. Sultan Kudarat is a province in the SOCCSKSARGEN region in Mindanao. Domingo said that bats are the most common source of the virus, but other animals, including pigs and horses, can also become infected and transmit it. He urged the public to consume meat approved by the National Meat Inspection Service (NMIS) and to always cook food thoroughly.

It said it has noted developments in the United States, where the Advisory Committee on Immunisation Practices (ACIP) voted earlier this month to discontinue its universal recommendation for the hepatitis B birth dose.

However, Malaysia’s policy remains unchanged.

The ministry stressed that the birth dose would continue to be provided under the National Immunisation Programme, in line with World Health Organisation recommendations.

“The administration of the hepatitis B vaccine birth dose within 24 hours of birth is crucial to prevent transmission of the hepatitis B virus from mother to child.

“Hepatitis B infection acquired early in life carries a high risk of becoming chronic, which could lead to liver cirrhosis and liver cancer in adulthood.”

It also said Malaysia’s birth-dose policy, in place since 1989, has been highly effective in reducing infection rates among children and contributes to long-term population health protection.

It said national immunisation policies are determined based on scientific evidence, local and global epidemiological data and expert opinion.

Any policy changes would only be considered if supported by strong evidence and international consensus, it added.

“The Health Ministry would like to remind parents and caregivers to ensure their infants receive the birth dose according to the prescribed schedule.”

The US decision saw ACIP replace a long-standing universal approach with individualised decision-making for infants born to hepatitis B-negative mothers.

The revised recommendation was adopted by the US Centre for Disease Control and Prevention on Dec 16, with infants who do not receive the birth dose advised to start vaccination at a later stage.

Australia’s Therapeutic Goods Administration and the Indonesian Food and Drug Authority now join the WLA network, which includes 41 authorities from 39 countries. WHO Assistant Director-General for Health Systems, Access and Data Yukiko Nakatani said the expanded network supports a more inclusive and globally connected regulatory system that improves access to safe, effective and quality health products worldwide.

Also Read: Less imports, more local – Indonesia’s pharma game plan 

The WLA framework supports regulatory reliance by allowing regulators, international agencies and procurement bodies to use the decisions of listed authorities. This approach reduces duplicated reviews, helps ease supply constraints and speeds access to medicines and vaccines, including during health emergencies.

WHO grants WLA status through a voluntary and science-based assessment using internationally agreed standards. Regulatory authorities undergo detailed technical evaluations to show reliable oversight across specific areas of medical product regulation.

Also Read: Floods disrupt lives of children in Indonesia – Report 

Indonesia’s Food and Drug Authority is the first standalone regulator from a middle-income country to achieve WLA status. WHO said the designation demonstrates that advanced regulatory capacity can be achieved across different resource settings and may encourage other low- and middle-income countries to pursue similar recognition.

With Australia’s inclusion, all authorities previously classified as stringent regulatory authorities have completed the transition into the WLA framework. WHO said other national regulators have already expressed interest in entering the process, indicating growing uptake of the system.

Source: WHO

The revised EU regulation  eliminates the last intentional uses of mercury and contributes to the goal of a toxic-free environment. It requires dental filling materials to be mercury-free, except in cases deemed medically necessary by a practitioner. Member States needing more time to adapt can apply a temporary derogation until 30 June 2026.

The regulation also covers other mercury-containing products, including certain types of lamps, which must be phased out by 31 December 2025 or 2026 depending on the category, to be replaced by less toxic alternatives like LEDs. Guidance on reducing mercury emissions from crematoria will be published by the European Commission (EC) by the end of 2025.

Mercury, a highly toxic substance used in industrial processes and various products, poses serious risks to human health and the environment. To further restrict its use in the EU, the EC adopted a proposal on 14 July 2023 to revise the Mercury Regulation.

The revised regulation builds on the existing 2017 Mercury Regulation, which covers the full lifecycle of mercury, from primary mining to final disposal of mercury waste.

Meanwhile, at the Minamata Convention, several countries, including the US, have pushed for a global ban on mercury dental fillings by 2030. US Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. raised the concern on the continued use of mercury in dentistry despite available safe alternatives.

Mercury, recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO) as a major public health hazard, has already been restricted in some nations, prohibiting its use in fillings; however, others continue to allow its use.

A few African nations proposed a stricter approach, calling for a ban on producing, importing, and exporting mercury-based dental fillings starting in 2030. Some countries, including Britain, India, and Iran, opposed the move, citing costs and the durability of alternatives.

The Minamata Convention, in force since 2017, requires signatories to gradually eliminate mercury in dental applications while addressing safe disposal.

Photo credit: WHO

The World Health Organization (WHO) has officially validated Fiji for eradicating trachoma, a significant public health threat to the country, making it the 26th country to achieve this recognition.

Trachoma, a leading cause of blindness globally, is caused by the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis and spreads through direct contact, contaminated surfaces, or flies exposed to infected eye or nose discharge. Repeated infections can result in scarring and blindness, particularly in areas with poor sanitation and limited access to clean water.

Once widespread in Fiji during the 1930s and 1950s, trachoma cases sharply declined by the 1980s but reemerged in the early 2000s. This prompted the Ministry of Health and Medical Services to launch a comprehensive control program combining epidemiological studies, school health initiatives, and water and sanitation projects.

WHO affirmed that the elimination of trachoma demonstrated years of coordinated work across local and regional levels and called for continued regional cooperation to combat other neglected diseases.

According to WHO, more than one billion people globally are affected by neglected tropical diseases, which mostly impact impoverished communities. Thirteen countries in the Western Pacific Region have now eliminated at least one such disease, with six others, namely, Cambodia, China, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu and Viet Nam, also having eliminated trachoma.

He said this when officiating the launch of the National Mental Health Month 2025 here today.

Themed ‘Access to Services: Mental Health in Crisis and Disasters,’ it highlights efforts to strengthen the accessibility of mental health services during emergencies, crises, and disaster situations.

Dzulkefly said the MOH provides mental health and psychosocial support services (MHPSS) as part of the national disaster response framework. Since 2018, the MOH, in collaboration with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), has trained officers from various professional backgrounds in psychological intervention during disasters.

“As a result of these efforts, we now have 256 MHPSS teams comprising 3,676 trained personnel across all districts nationwide, ready to be mobilised for any disaster response operation.

“During the COVID-19 pandemic, the MOH established the HEAL 15555 (Help with Empathy and Love) helpline as a dedicated mental health crisis line. It continues to operate daily and remains one of the key channels for the public to access psychological support,” he said.

The government’s commitment to addressing mental health challenges is also reflected in Budget 2026, through the introduction of the K-MindSET (Komuniti Minda Sejahtera) initiative aimed at enhancing mental health literacy and fostering psychological resilience among Malaysians.

“A total of RM21.6 million has been allocated by the MADANI government for this national mental health agenda. This demonstrates the government’s commitment to promoting mental well-being – not only within hospitals and health clinics but also in workplaces and communities,” he said.

Source: Bernama

The report is paired with a new analysis of NCD mortality between 2010 and 2019. WHO said 82% of countries reduced NCD-related deaths during that period, but progress has slowed, with some nations now seeing reversals. Denmark recorded the largest improvements, while reductions were also reported in China, Egypt, Nigeria, Russia, and Brazil. Cardiovascular disease and several cancers drove much of the decline, but mortality from pancreatic and liver cancers and neurological conditions increased in many countries.

NCDs, which are dubbed as “lifestyle diseases”, such as heart disease, cancer, respiratory illness, and diabetes cause the majority of deaths worldwide. More than one billion people also live with mental health conditions. WHO noted that nearly 75% of deaths linked to NCDs and mental health occur in low- and middle-income countries, amounting to 32 million lives lost each year.

Related: PeKa B40 group facing NCD epidemic 

WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said NCDs and mental health conditions were “silent killers” undermining both lives and economic potential. He cited Denmark, South Korea, and Moldova as examples of countries advancing in prevention, while warning that others were stalling.

The agency stressed that solutions are affordable and proven, but governments face resistance from powerful commercial lobbies in tobacco, alcohol, and ultra-processed food. Dr. Etienne Krug, Director of WHO’s Department of Health Determinants, Promotion and Prevention, said governments must prioritize public health over industry profits.

WHO urged countries to scale up its “Best Buys”—interventions such as tobacco and alcohol taxation, restrictions on harmful marketing, hypertension management, and cervical cancer screening. Full implementation would cost just US$3 per person annually but could, by 2030, save 12 million lives, prevent 28 million heart attacks and strokes, add 150 million healthy life years, and generate more than US$1 trillion in returns.

Related: Thailand reviews cannabis law; boosts NCD fight

The findings, published in two reports, World Mental Health Today and the Mental Health Atlas 2024, show that while some progress has been made in policy and service planning, significant gaps remain. WHO is urging governments to scale up investment and action ahead of the 2025 UN High-Level Meeting on noncommunicable diseases and mental health, scheduled for September in New York.

“Transforming mental health services is one of the most pressing public health challenges,” said WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, adding that “Investing in mental health means investing in people, communities, and economies, an investment no country can afford to neglect.”

Anxiety, depression affecting women

Anxiety and depression are the most common conditions, with women disproportionately affected. Mental health disorders are now the second leading cause of long-term disability worldwide. Taking one’s own life remains a devastating outcome, claiming an estimated 727,000 lives in 2021. It is one of the leading causes of death among young people, regardless of region or income level.

Global targets remain out of reach. The UN Sustainable Development Goal calls for a one-third reduction in suicide rates by 2030, but WHO projects that only a 12% reduction will be achieved on the current trajectory.

The economic burden of these conditions, specifically, depression and anxiety alone cost the global economy around US$1 trillion annually, mostly through lost productivity, the report said.

Gaps in investment and workforce

Despite growing awareness, investment in mental health has stagnated. Median government spending remains at just 2% of health budgets, unchanged since 2017. Disparities are glaring with high-income countries spend up to US$65 per person on mental health, while low-income countries spend as little as US$0.04.

The workforce shortage is equally severe. The global median stands at 13 mental health workers per 100,000 people, with extreme shortages in low- and middle-income nations.

Progress and stalled reform

Since 2020, many countries have updated mental health policies, adopted rights-based approaches, and expanded support during health emergencies. More than 80% now include mental health and psychosocial support in emergency responses, up from 39% in 2020. School-based initiatives, suicide prevention programs, and telehealth services are also expanding.

Yet legal reform has lagged. Fewer than half of countries have mental health laws in line with international human rights standards. Nearly half of psychiatric hospital admissions remain involuntary, and more than 20% last longer than a year. Only a small fraction of countries have shifted to fully community-based care, with inpatient institutions still dominating.

Access gaps persist, particularly in low-income countries where fewer than 10% of people with severe mental health conditions receive treatment, compared with more than 50% in wealthier nations.

Time to act

WHO stressed that countries remain far off track to meet the goals of its Comprehensive Mental Health Action Plan. It urged governments to intensify systemic reform through equitable financing, stronger legal protections, investment in the workforce, and a rapid shift to community-based, person-centered care. Without urgent action, the agency warned, millions will continue to face preventable suffering and the global economy will bear the cost.

The report noted that one in four people, about 2.1 billion globally, still lack safely managed drinking water, with more than 100 million relying on untreated surface water. Around 3.4 billion do not have access to safe sanitation, including 354 million who still practice open defecation. Meanwhile, 1.7 billion people live without basic hygiene services, and more than 600 million have no facilities at all.

Researchers observed that people in the least developed countries are more than twice as likely as those elsewhere to be without basic water and sanitation, and three times as likely to lack hygiene services. Fragile states face particular challenges, with drinking water coverage nearly 40 percentage points lower than in stable contexts.

Although rural communities have seen some gains, with drinking water coverage increasing from 50 to 60% and hygiene access rising from 52 to 71% since 2015, urban progress has largely stalled. Gender inequality also remains evident: women and girls in many countries bear the responsibility for water collection, often spending over half an hour each day fetching it, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia.

The study further reported that adolescent girls are less likely than adult women to continue with school, work, or social activities during menstruation. While many women and girls have access to private spaces and basic menstrual materials, large numbers still lack adequate supplies to change as often as needed.

With just five years left before the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals deadline, the report warned that progress on ending open defecation and achieving universal access to water, sanitation, and hygiene must accelerate. Universal coverage of safely managed services, it added, is increasingly unlikely to be met.

WHO’s Director a.i, Environment, Climate Change and Health, Dr. Ruediger Krech said water, sanitation, and hygiene should be regarded as basic rights rather than privileges, stressing that action must be stepped up for marginalized communities. Likewise, UNICEF’s Director of WASH, Cecilia Scharp, cautioned that children’s health, education, and futures are at risk when safe services are absent, and pointed out that girls often face the greatest burden, from water collection to menstrual barriers. She added that at the current pace, the promise of universal access is slipping further from reach, requiring faster and bolder measures.