File photograph of a subject researcher catching a bat with a web whereas gathering specimens for Nipah virus analysis within the Shuwaranpur space of Faridpur, Bangladesh | Photograph credit score: Reuters
The World Well being Group introduced on Friday (6 February 2026) {that a} girl in northern Bangladesh who contracted the lethal Nipah virus an infection in January has died.
The incident in Bangladesh, the place Nipah virus circumstances are reported virtually yearly, follows two confirmed Nipah virus circumstances in India and has already prompted elevated airport screening throughout Asia.
The Bangladeshi affected person was between 40 and 50 years previous and developed signs in keeping with the Nipah virus on January 21, together with fever, headache, hypersalivation, disorientation and convulsions, WHO added.
She died per week later and was confirmed to have the virus the following day.
The person had no journey historical past, however had a historical past of ingesting uncooked date palm sap. The WHO stated all 35 individuals who got here into contact with the affected person are being monitored and have examined damaging for the virus, and no additional circumstances have been detected thus far.
Screened in numerous elements of Asia
Nipah is an infectious illness that’s unfold primarily via merchandise contaminated by contaminated bats, comparable to fruit. Though it may be deadly in as much as 75% of circumstances, it doesn’t unfold simply between individuals.
Nations together with Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia and Pakistan applied temperature checks at airports after India introduced {that a} case of the virus had been present in West Bengal state.
The WHO stated Friday that the danger of worldwide unfold of the illness is taken into account low and doesn’t suggest any journey or commerce restrictions based mostly on present info.
In 2025, 4 laboratory-confirmed deadly circumstances have been reported in Bangladesh.
Presently, there aren’t any accepted medicines or vaccines particularly for this an infection.
