Woman Dies from Nipah Virus in Bangladesh as WHO Monitors Contacts

A woman in northern Bangladesh died in January after contracting the Nipah virus, a deadly infection transmitted mainly through products contaminated by bats, such as raw date palm sap. She had no travel history, and all 35 contacts tested negative. The WHO said the risk of international spread is low, despite recent cases in India prompting airport screenings. Nipah can be fatal in up to 75% of cases, and there are currently no licensed treatments or vaccines.

The World Health Organization (WHO) announced on Friday that a woman in northern Bangladesh died in January after contracting the deadly Nipah virus, highlighting the ongoing public health challenge posed by this virus in the region. Nipah virus infections are reported in Bangladesh almost every year, with the disease posing a high fatality risk. This recent case follows the identification of two Nipah virus cases in neighboring India, which led to enhanced health and temperature screenings at airports across several Asian countries as authorities sought to prevent potential international spread.
The patient, believed to be between 40 and 50 years old, first exhibited symptoms consistent with Nipah virus infection on 21 January. Her initial symptoms included fever and headache, which quickly progressed to more severe manifestations such as hypersalivation, disorientation, and convulsions, according to WHO reports. Despite medical care, the woman passed away a week after the onset of symptoms. Testing conducted the following day confirmed that she had been infected with the Nipah virus.
Health authorities noted that the woman had no recent history of travel outside her local area. However, she had consumed raw date palm sap, a known source of Nipah virus, as the virus can be transmitted through products contaminated by infected bats. Following the confirmation of her infection, public health officials traced and monitored all individuals who had direct contact with the patient. A total of 35 people were identified as having had potential exposure, and all were tested for the virus, with results returning negative. No additional cases linked to this patient have been reported so far.
Nipah virus is highly dangerous, with a case fatality rate of up to 75%, although it does not easily spread between humans. The primary mode of transmission is through contact with products contaminated by infected fruit bats, such as fruit or raw date palm sap, or through close contact with infected individuals. The virus can cause severe neurological and respiratory symptoms, making early detection and supportive medical care critical.
In response to the recent cases in India, several countries in the region, including Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, and Pakistan, implemented temperature screenings at airports to detect potential travelers infected with the virus. Despite these measures, the WHO has assessed the risk of international spread as low and stated that no travel or trade restrictions are currently necessary based on the information available.
Bangladesh has experienced multiple Nipah virus outbreaks in recent years. In 2025 alone, four laboratory-confirmed fatal cases were reported in the country. The recurring outbreaks highlight the need for continued surveillance, public awareness campaigns, and adherence to safe food and hygiene practices, particularly regarding consumption of raw date palm sap. Currently, there are no licensed medicines or vaccines available specifically for the treatment or prevention of Nipah virus infection, making prevention, early detection, and supportive care the primary tools in combating the disease.
The WHO continues to work with national and regional health authorities to monitor the situation closely, provide guidance on containment measures, and ensure that public health systems are prepared to respond promptly to any new cases. Public health experts emphasize the importance of vigilance, particularly in regions where human-bat interactions and consumption of potentially contaminated products are common, to reduce the risk of further infections and fatalities.