Dhaka/Geneva: The World Health Organization (WHO) on Friday confirmed that a woman in northern Bangladesh died last month after being infected with the Nipah virus, a highly fatal zoonotic disease that continues to surface periodically in the region.
According to the WHO, the patient, a woman aged between 40 and 50 years, began showing symptoms on January 21, including fever and headache. Her condition later deteriorated, with symptoms such as excessive salivation, confusion and seizures. She succumbed to the illness about a week later, with laboratory confirmation of Nipah virus infection coming a day after her death.
Health authorities said the woman had no recent travel history. However, investigations revealed that she had consumed raw date palm sap, which is recognised as a major source of Nipah virus transmission, as fruit bats often contaminate the sap.
The WHO stated that 35 individuals who came into close contact with the patient are currently being monitored. All of them have tested negative for the virus so far, and no secondary infections have been reported.
The Bangladesh case comes amid heightened vigilance in the region following the detection of recent Nipah cases in India, particularly in West Bengal. In response, several countries, including Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia and Pakistan, have stepped up precautionary measures such as temperature screening at airports.
Nipah virus is primarily transmitted from animals to humans, most commonly through food products contaminated by infected fruit bats. While limited human-to-human transmission has been recorded, the virus is considered extremely dangerous, with fatality rates reaching up to 75 per cent in some outbreaks.
Despite the recent developments, the WHO said the risk of international spread remains low and has not advised any travel or trade restrictions at this stage.
Bangladesh, where Nipah cases are reported almost every year, recorded four laboratory-confirmed deaths due to the virus in 2025. There are currently no approved vaccines or specific antiviral treatments available for Nipah virus infection.
