Dear Editor, The recent detection and re emergence of Nipah virus (NiV) cases in Asia have once again drawn global attention to one of the most lethal zoonotic viruses known to date. Nipah virus is a zoonotic, negative sense RNA virus belonging to the genus Henipavirus within the family Paramyxoviridae. Since its first recognized outbreak in Malaysia in 1998, recurrent outbreaks have been reported primarily in Bangladesh and India, with case fatality rates ranging from 40% to over 75%. Unlike many zoonotic viruses, Nipah virus has demonstrated a clear capacity for sustained human to human transmission, particularly in household and healthcare settings. Nosocomial transmission has been repeatedly documented during outbreaks in South Asia, raising serious concerns regarding the virus’s adaptability and its potential to cause larger epidemics or even a future pandemic should viral transmissibility increase further. From a regional and national perspective, the potential implications of Nipah virus for Iran warrant serious consideration. Iran occupies a strategic geographical position connecting South Asia, Central Asia, and the Middle East, with extensive travel, trade, and population movement across these regions. In addition, Iran’s healthcare system while experienced in managing infectious disease outbreaks could face substantial challenges in the event of Nipah virus introduction due to the absence of specific therapeutics, the requirement for high level infection prevention and control measures, and the need for rapid molecular diagnostics, which are not yet widely available across all regions. At present, clinical management of Nipah virus infection is limited to supportive care and strict infection control practices. Although several promising vaccine candidates, including recombinant viral vector and mRNA based platforms, are under development, none have yet been licensed for routine clinical use . In conclusion, the re emergence of Nipah virus in Asia should be regarded as a critical early warning signal rather than an isolated regional event. For Iran and the wider global community, early preparedness, surveillance, and coordinated international action are essential to prevent Nipah virus from becoming the next devastating pandemic pathogen. |