The World Health Organisation has officially confirmed the tragic death of a woman in northern Bangladesh last month due to infection with the deadly Nipah virus. This development comes as multiple nations across South Asia intensify their surveillance efforts to monitor and contain any potential outbreak of the highly dangerous pathogen.
Details of the Fatal Case
The patient, whose age was reported to be between 40 and 50 years, initially exhibited symptoms consistent with Nipah virus infection on 21 January. According to the WHO's detailed statement released on Friday, these symptoms began with fever and headache, rapidly progressing to include hyper-salivation, disorientation, and convulsions. The woman succumbed to the illness approximately one week later, with laboratory confirmation of the Nipah virus infection occurring the following day.
Transmission and Contact Tracing
Authorities have indicated that the deceased woman had no recent travel history but had consumed raw date palm sap prior to falling ill. This consumption method is a known transmission route for the virus, which typically spills over from bats to humans through contaminated fruit or sap. Public health officials have identified and are monitoring 35 individuals who had contact with the patient. To date, all these contacts have tested negative for the virus, and no additional cases have been detected in the region.
Regional Outbreak Context
This confirmed case in Bangladesh follows the identification of at least two Nipah virus cases in the neighbouring Indian state of West Bengal, which shares a direct border with Bangladesh. India's federal health ministry reported last month that approximately 200 people were placed under quarantine in response to these cases. The situation has prompted enhanced airport screenings across Asia, with countries including Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Singapore, and Pakistan implementing temperature checks for travellers. Singapore has taken additional measures, requiring migrant workers arriving from West Bengal to undergo daily temperature monitoring and symptom checks for a 14-day period.
Virus Characteristics and Health Risks
Nipah virus is classified by the WHO as a high-risk pathogen with no currently available vaccine or cure. Human infections remain relatively rare but are extremely serious, with fatality rates reaching up to 75 percent in documented outbreaks. The virus does not spread easily between humans, which helps limit large-scale transmission. However, survivors often face severe long-term neurological consequences, including persistent seizures, personality changes, and in rare instances, recurrent encephalitis that can manifest months or even years after the initial infection due to viral relapse or reactivation.
WHO Assessment and Historical Data
In its latest assessment, the WHO stated that the risk of international disease spread from the current situation is considered low. Based on available information, the organisation does not recommend implementing any travel or trade restrictions at this time. Historical data shows that Bangladesh reported four laboratory-confirmed fatal Nipah cases in 2025. Beyond South Asia, infections have also been documented in the Philippines, where investigations suggest they were caused by either the Nipah virus or a closely related Nipah-like strain, highlighting the virus's regional presence and ongoing threat.
