New Delhi: With the ICC T20 World Cup just days away, social media posts purportedly originating in Pakistan and Bangladesh have circulated claims of a Nipah virus “scare” in West Bengal, with one user even suggesting, without any evidence, that cricket boards are not concerned about player safety.
West Bengal has reported two lab-confirmed cases of Nipah Virus since December 2025—both healthcare workers—and they were promptly isolated.
Intensive contact-tracing and testing, covering 196 contacts, have found no further infections. Authorities maintain the outbreak is contained, with no cases beyond the two.
In response, Thailand, Nepal, and Vietnam have heightened health screenings at airports and borders as a precaution. There is currently no evidence of international spread.
However, multiple social media posts purportedly originating from Pakistan and Bangladesh have been engaging in scare-mongering.
“The recent Nipah virus outbreak in India has sparked serious concerns over the ICC T20 WORLD CUP 26. Five cases have been confirmed in West Bengal, including two nurses & a doctor & around 100 people have been placed in quarantine. Cricket boards are worried about the safety of players,” Pakistani journalist Javed Iqbal wrote on X.
The recent Nipah virus outbreak in India has sparked serious concerns over the #ICCT20WORLDCUP26.Five cases have been confirmed in West Bengal,including two nurses& a doctor &around 100 people have been placed in quarantine. Cricket boards are worried about the safety of players pic.twitter.com/oKTB5UL4C5
— Javed Iqbal (@JavedIqbalReal) January 28, 2026
Shadman Sakib Arnob, a Bangladeshi user, wrote on X: “Nipah Virus scare ahead of the T20 World Cup.” He also quoted the same figure of five.
Nipah Virus scare ahead of the T20 World Cup 🚨
🦠 5 cases in West Bengal
🚑 2 nurses critical
👥 ~100 under quarantine
⚠️ High mortality | No vaccine yet
🛫 Airport screenings started in Asia
✈️ Thailand & Nepal tighten airport screening#NipahVirus #HealthAlert #T20WC pic.twitter.com/1yH3bIazQU
— Shadman Sakib Arnob (@arnuX05) January 27, 2026
The ICC T20 World Cup will be held between 7 February and 8 March, hosting 20 competing teams across venues in India and Sri Lanka. India, as the primary host, will stage numerous high-profile matches, which are expected to witness high turnouts including international spectators and delegations.
West Bengal is scheduled to host multiple matches during the tournament.
The ICC has dropped Bangladesh from the T20 World Cup as the country’s cricket board refused to allow its team to travel to India, citing security concerns in the wake of Mustafizur Rahman’s ouster from the IPL.
(Edited by Ajeet Tiwari)
Also Read: PCB ad uses India-Pakistan handshake controversy to promote T20 series against Australia