Bangladesh reports 3 Nipah virus deaths

According to the Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research (IEDCR) in Dhaka, Bangladesh, three people infected with Nipah virus have died so far in 2025.

The cases, one woman and two men, were reported from Pabna Sadar upazila (Pabna district), Lalmohon upazila (Bhola district) and Chuadanga Sadar upazila (Chuadanga district).

Image/Video screen shot

Nipah virus (NiV), which emerged as a zoonotic threat over the past 25 years, is one of the most dangerous pathogens, with a high fatality rate. Bangladesh has experienced the highest number of NiV cases, reporting 341 cases and 241 deaths, leading to a fatality rate of 71%. This deadly virus is primarily transmitted by fruit bats, which can infect animals such as pigs. Humans become infected through direct contact with infected animals or contaminated food sources.

What is One Health? Why should you care about it?

One of the major routes of transmission of NiV in Bangladesh is through the consumption of raw date palm sap contaminated by bat saliva or urine. This sap, commonly consumed in the region, can cause severe symptoms, including fever, headache, dizziness, nausea, and vomiting. In severe cases, the infection can lead to encephalitis (brain inflammation), respiratory distress, seizures, and coma. The virus can rapidly progress to brain swelling and respiratory failure, often resulting in death. While some survivors recover, they may experience long-term neurological complications.