There isn’t a official affirmation that England and Australia are boycotting the 2026 T20 World Cup, which begins on February 7, over considerations concerning the Nipah virus in India. Infections have additionally been reported in India, however there isn’t a indication that the event is beneath risk or that any staff plans to withdraw.
Hypothesis unfold on social media following reviews of Nipah virus outbreak in West Bengal. Some posts declare that athletes are in danger and accuse India and the BCCI of ignoring their security. The state of affairs is so critical that China and a few nations in Southeast Asia are taking particular precautions.
England and Australia to boycott 2026 T20 World Cup?
Claims that England and Australia plan to boycott the 2026 T20 World Cup over Nipah virus fears are false. Some media reviews have advised considerations about journey to India, however the Board of Management for Cricket in India has dismissed any suggestion that the event is beneath risk.
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The report was later debunked by Gaurav Gupta, who confirmed on X (previously Twitter) that the boycott claims had been false and requested readers to disregard them.
“That is stated to be pretend information. Please ignore! #T20WC2026,” Mr. Gupta wrote.
That is stated to be pretend information. Please ignore! #T20WC2026https://t.cah/IJJIj6G95j
— Gaurav Gupta (@toi_gauravG) Jbenyoubery 31, 2026
The state of affairs is consistently being monitored – Ministry of Well being
The Nipah virus state of affairs in West Bengal is just not new and is beneath management. In December, two feminine nurses examined constructive. Each sufferers are remoted and receiving therapy, whereas their contacts had been traced and examined, with destructive outcomes.
The Ministry of Well being and Household Welfare stated central and state well being companies acted shortly by growing surveillance, testing samples and conducting discipline checks. Officers confirmed that they proceed to observe the state of affairs whereas taking all crucial public well being measures.
“The coordinated efforts of central and state well being companies have carried out intensified surveillance, laboratory checks and discipline investigations to make sure well timed containment of the case. To this point, no further Nipah virus illness instances have been detected. The state of affairs is being repeatedly monitored and all crucial public well being measures are being carried out,” the Ministry of Well being and Household Welfare stated in an announcement.
What’s Nipah virus and why is it within the information?
In line with the World Well being Group (WHO), Nipah virus is a illness that spreads from animals to people, but it surely may also be unfold by means of contaminated meals and shut person-to-person contact.
It was first recognized in pig farmers in Malaysia in 1998, and later appeared in Singapore in 1999 after sick pigs had been imported. This virus has a excessive mortality price of 40-75%, and there’s at present no vaccine or therapy.
Thus far, 756 instances have been reported worldwide, with 435 deaths. In contrast to COVID-19, there isn’t a proof that Nipah virus is airborne, however it may be transmitted by means of droplets when an contaminated particular person coughs or sneezes.
Nations akin to Nepal, Thailand and Indonesia have began thermal screening at airports, and Australia is intently monitoring the state of affairs. In India, the primary Nipah case was reported in Siliguri, West Bengal in 2001.
Additionally learn: Pat Cummins to overlook 2026 T20 World Cup, Steve Smith refuses to play regardless of CSK star’s shock dismissal
