Nipah Virus Case Confirmed in Northwestern Bangladesh

The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare of Bangladesh, in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO), announced today a laboratory-confirmed case of Nipah virus (NiV) infection in the Rajshahi Division of northwestern Bangladesh.

As of February 3, 2026, a middle-aged woman from Naogaon District had been experiencing symptoms including fever, headache, muscle cramps, loss of appetite, weakness, and vomiting since late January 2026, when the NiV infection was confirmed. The patient had no travel history outside the area but reported repeatedly consuming raw date palm sap in early January 2026, a known transmission route for the virus due to contamination from fruit bats.

On February 6, 2026, the WHO stated that there are currently no specific treatments or vaccines approved for Nipah, making prevention through public awareness and good hygiene practices essential.

Fortunately, NiV vaccine candidates are being tested in clinical research in 2026.

Since 1998, NiV outbreaks across Bangladesh, India, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Singapore experienced very high fatality rates, ranging from 40% to 75%.

Furthermore, the WHO assessed the overall public health risk posed by this NiV event as low at the national, regional, and global levels. The risk of international disease spread is also considered low, and no travel or trade restrictions are recommended.