Woman Dies of Nipah Virus in Bangladesh, WHO Confirms

A woman in northern Bangladesh died in January after catching the fatal Nipah virus, the World Health Organization reported on Friday.

After two Nipah virus cases were discovered in neighboring India, which has already led to increased airport screenings around Asia, the case in Bangladesh, where Nipah cases are recorded nearly annually, comes next.

The WHO noted that on January 21, the patient in Bangladesh, who was between the ages of 40 and 50, experienced symptoms typical of the Nipah virus, including fever and headache, followed by hypersalivation, disorientation, and convulsions.

A week later, she passed away, and a day later, it was determined that she had contracted the virus.

The individual had a history of eating raw date palm sap but no travel history. According to the WHO, all 35 individuals who came into contact with the patient are under observation, have tested negative for the virus, and no new instances have been found as of yet.

Fruit and other items contaminated by sick bats are the primary means of spreading the nipah illness. Although it is difficult for individuals to spread, it can be lethal in as many as 75% of cases.

Following India’s announcement that instances of the virus had been discovered in West Bengal, nations such as Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, and Pakistan instituted temperature testing at airports.

The WHO stated on Friday that, given the available data, it does not advise any travel or trade restrictions because the risk of illness spread internationally is deemed to be minimal.

Four fatal cases with test confirmation were reported in Bangladesh in 2025.

As of right now, the infection has no approved medications or vaccinations.