NIPAH VIRUS – BANGLADESH: FATAL
A ProMED-mail post
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International Society for Infectious Diseases
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Date: Mon 3 Mar 2025 19:50 BST
Source: Bangladesh First [edited]
https://bfirst.news/bangladesh/17245/all-nipah-virus-patients-in-bangladesh-die-this-year
All 3 individuals infected with the Nipah virus in Bangladesh this
year [2025] have died, according to the Institute of Epidemiology,
Disease Control and Research (IEDCR). The IEDCR released this
information on Monday [3 Mar 2025] but did not disclose details about
the deceased.
According to the research institute, bats are the primary carriers of
the Nipah virus. The infection spreads through the consumption of raw
date palm sap contaminated by bat saliva.
Additionally, consuming locally fermented alcoholic beverages like
tari can also be a source of infection. The virus can further spread
from infected individuals to healthy persons through close contact.
Symptoms of Nipah virus infection typically appear within 5-7 days and
include fever, drowsiness, muscle pain, vomiting, sore throat,
headaches, restlessness, and dizziness. In severe cases, patients may
become unconscious, develop brain inflammation, and experience
respiratory distress.
Those showing symptoms of brain inflammation and having a history of
consuming raw date palm sap are considered suspected Nipah cases.
Research by IEDCR found a rare case in 2023, where Nipah virus was
detected in a mother’s breast milk. The infant later died. That year,
5 people in Bangladesh were infected with the virus, and all of them
died.
Over the past 2 decades, 71% of those infected with the Nipah virus in
Bangladesh have succumbed to the disease. Currently, there is no
effective vaccine or specific treatment for Nipah, making it a serious
public health concern.