Nipah and mpox expose Asia’s urgent need for stronger disease surveillance

South China Morning PostEN 2 min read 100% complete by Kamala ThiagarajanMarch 2, 2026 at 10:30 PM

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In 2026, Asia faces renewed health concerns with cases of Nipah virus in West Bengal, India, and a recombinant strain of mpox also detected in India. The Nipah virus, a deadly zoonotic disease with a high fatality rate, has prompted airport screenings and heightened alert across the region. The mpox recombinant strain, containing genetic material from two different versions of mpox, is under monitoring. These outbreaks highlight the urgent need for stronger disease surveillance and coordinated responses to health crises across Asia. Experts emphasize that robust surveillance, even before outbreaks, is essential to prevent another public health crisis in the region.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

Bangladesh 40% Malaysia 40% COVID-19 50% West Bengal 60% Mpox ×270% India ×270% World Health Organization (WHO) ×380% Asia ×380% Nipah virus ×490%

Keywords

disease surveillance 90% nipah virus 80% mpox 70% public health crisis 70% outbreak 60% asia 60% world health organization 50% zoonotic disease 50% recombinant strain 40%