health
February 7, 2026
One person dead from Nipah virus in Bangladesh, WHO says
The case in Bangladesh, where Nipah cases are reported almost every year, follows two Nipah virus cases identified in neighbouring India
TL;DR
- A woman in northern Bangladesh died in January from the Nipah virus.
- The patient developed symptoms including fever, headache, hypersalivation, disorientation, and convulsion.
- The infection is suspected to be linked to consuming raw date palm sap, as the patient had no travel history.
- 35 people who had contact with the patient are being monitored and have tested negative.
- The case follows two Nipah virus cases in neighboring India, prompting increased airport screenings in Asia.
- Nipah virus can be fatal in up to 75% of cases and spreads mainly through contaminated products like fruit from infected bats.
- The WHO considers the risk of international spread low and does not recommend travel or trade restrictions.
- There are currently no licensed medicines or vaccines for Nipah virus infection.
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