WHO confirms one death from Nipah virus in northern Bangladesh

A woman in northern Bangladesh succumbed to Nipah virus infection this January, marking an alarming resurgence of a deadly strain that affects both humans and animals. This case comes amid heightened scrutiny of its spread across neighboring India, which has seen two confirmed cases within weeks. The affected individual was aged between 40 and 50 years old and exhibited symptoms consistent with Nipah virus on January 21, including fever, headache, hypersalivation, disorientation, and convulsions.

She passed away a week later and was positively identified as infected by the virus one day after her death. Despite having no documented travel history, she had consumed raw date palm sap, which has been linked to several Nipah cases in the past. All 35 individuals who had contact with the patient have been closely monitored without any additional cases arising.

Experts from the World Health Organization (WHO) noted that while Nipah is primarily transmitted through contaminated products like fruit, it does not spread easily between people once infected. In response to India’s discovery of Nipah in West Bengal, several Asian countries including Malaysia and Indonesia implemented enhanced airport screenings for travelers arriving from affected regions.

The WHO underscored on Friday that the risk of international transmission remains low and has not recommended any travel or trade restrictions based on current information. Notably, Bangladesh previously reported four laboratory-confirmed fatal cases in 2025. Despite efforts to curb its spread through strict hygiene practices, there are currently no licensed medicines or vaccines specifically targeted against Nipah virus infection.

Despite the heightened awareness and precautionary measures, health authorities emphasize that vigilance is crucial to prevent future outbreaks. As the global community continues to monitor this emerging threat, ongoing research into developing preventive interventions remains a pressing priority.