The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, scheduled to begin on February 7, is facing uncertainty after a deadly outbreak of the Nipah virus in India’s eastern state of West Bengal, raising concerns over public health safety just weeks before the global event.
According to 24NewsHD TV, the Indian health authorities have confirmed five cases so far, including at least two nurses and a doctor, with around 100 people placed under quarantine as part of containment measures.
Two nurses in Kolkata are reported to be in critical condition, officials said.
The virus, which can be fatal in up to 75% of cases and has no proven treatment, has prompted emergency surveillance and screening in affected areas.
The outbreak has triggered heightened alarm as international teams, match officials and thousands of fans are expected to travel across India for the tournament, which could complicate biosecurity arrangements and logistics if the situation worsens.
Several matches are scheduled to be held in Kolkata, the capital of West Bengal, intensifying concerns among organisers and health officials.
Indian authorities have intensified contact tracing and quarantine protocols and are investigating possible hospital-acquired transmission.
The federal government has deployed a central response team to assist local officials and closely monitor developments.
The outbreak comes at a sensitive time as India, along with Sri Lanka, prepares to co-host the T20 World Cup, which will feature 16 international teams, match officials, and thousands of travelling fans.
Nipah, a bat-borne zoonotic virus, is considered highly dangerous, with fatality rates reaching up to 75% in some outbreaks.
The incubation period ranges from five to 14 days, with early symptoms including fever and headache, while severe cases can progress to encephalitis, seizures, and coma.
There is no approved vaccine, and treatment remains largely supportive.
The timing of the outbreak poses additional challenges for World Cup planning.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) has already faced criticism after reportedly removing Bangladesh from the competition following its request to host matches in Sri Lanka due to security concerns, replacing it with Scotland — a move that sparked backlash online.
Pakistan is also reported to be reconsidering its participation, citing alleged double standards in the ICC’s handling of India and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), although no official statement has been issued.
The current cluster was detected in mid-January after two nurses at a private hospital near Kolkata tested positive and were admitted in critical condition. Subsequent testing confirmed three more cases, including a doctor and other healthcare workers who were exposed during treatment.
Hospitals across the state have enforced strict infection control protocols, while authorities have stepped up monitoring and contact tracing.
Public advisories have urged people to avoid non-essential travel, particularly to high-risk areas.
The Nipah virus, a bat-borne zoonotic pathogen first identified in Malaysia in 1998, has caused recurring outbreaks in South Asia.
In India, previous incidents were reported in West Bengal in 2001 and 2007, followed by multiple outbreaks in Kerala since 2018.
ICC authorities have not yet issued a formal statement, but the evolving health situation has cast uncertainty over the smooth conduct of the tournament if the outbreak escalates.