The crisis has thrown the World Cup matches into doubt on Indian soil, with cricket's governing body the International Cricket Council (ICC) reportedly considering the United Arab Emirates (UAE) as a 'Plan B' or alternative venue to handle the situation.
Health authorities in West Bengal have confirmed that at least five people have been infected with the Nipah virus in Kolkata and the neighbouring Barasat area. Among the infected are health workers, including doctors and nurses, which further increases the risk of infection. More than 100 people have already been sent to quarantine.
The lack of an approved vaccine for Nipah virus and its high mortality rate (40% to 75%) have sparked panic among international teams.
It is reported that if the health situation in India does not come under control quickly, the matches scheduled on Indian soil may be moved to the Middle Eastern country of the United Arab Emirates.
Dubai International Stadium, Abu Dhabi's Sheikh Zayed Stadium and Sharjah Cricket Stadium are among the potential venues.
The United Arab Emirates had previously successfully hosted the 2021 T20 World Cup, so the ICC considers the country to be the safest option in terms of logistics and infrastructure.
Meanwhile, new tensions have begun in the cricket world over this issue.
Pakistan has already expressed its formal concerns to the ICC, demanding that the match be held at a neutral venue, excluding India, considering the health risks to players and spectators.
On the other hand, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) had previously objected to playing on Indian soil, citing security reasons. However, the ICC did not respond to this demand and announced a tough decision to include Scotland in the tournament instead of Bangladesh.
The ICC may call an emergency meeting on the matter. If the situation in India is considered serious, then an announcement may be made to move part of the tournament to Sri Lanka or to organize the World Cup in a hybrid model with the United Arab Emirates instead of India.
