First Nipah Virus Death of the Year Reported in Bangladesh, WHO Says

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Dhaka: Health authorities in Bangladesh have confirmed a fatal case of Nipah virus infection in the northern district of Naogaon, highlighting the ongoing risk posed by the highly lethal zoonotic disease in the region. The World Health Organization (WHO) has verified the death, and public health agencies are working to monitor close contacts and prevent further spread.

According to the WHO, the woman aged between 40 and 50 began showing symptoms on January 21, including fever, headache and neurological signs such as disorientation and convulsions. She died about one week later, with laboratory testing confirming Nipah virus as the cause days after her passing.

Investigators noted that the patient had no recent travel history but did consume raw date palm sap in the days before becoming ill, a behaviour repeatedly linked to Nipah virus transmission in Bangladesh.

Bangladesh frequently reports Nipah cases during the cooler months, and while the virus does not easily spread between people, its case fatality rate can reach as high as 75% making it one of the deadliest infections known to public health experts.

Local health officials have traced and tested those who had contact with the deceased woman. So far, none of the 35 monitored individuals have tested positive for the virus, and no additional cases have been identified.

The WHO has stressed that although the fatality underscores the seriousness of the disease, the risk of international spread remains low based on current data. The organization does not recommend travel or trade restrictions at this time.

There is currently no specific treatment or vaccine approved for Nipah virus infection, and public health messaging continues to focus on reducing contact with potential sources of the virus, such as bat-contaminated food products.