Several Districts Report Presence of Nipah Virus, Authorities Urge Heightened Vigilance

 Health authorities have confirmed the presence and spread of the deadly Nipah virus in multiple districts across Bangladesh, prompting urgent calls for vigilance and strengthened public health measures.

Latest health surveillance data show that Nipah virus infections have been detected in at least 35 of the country’s 64 districts, indicating a widespread and evolving risk pattern.

Officials from the Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control, and Research (IEDCR) have emphasized that the virus is no longer confined to specific seasons or limited geographic areas but is now being identified more broadly across the nation.

The health agency also highlighted troubling trends from the previous year, noting that all four confirmed cases in 2025 were fatal, underscoring the virus’s high mortality and serious threat to public health.

Authorities warned that the infection can occur year-round and through multiple transmission routes, including contact with infected animal hosts or human carriers.

Medical experts and government health officials have urged heightened surveillance, especially in healthcare facilities, and have advised both the general public and health workers to follow strict preventive measures.

These include avoiding consumption of raw date palm sap, minimizing direct contact with bats or their secretions, and practicing good hygiene, such as regular handwashing.

Hospitals in affected districts have been placed on high alert, with diagnostic labs and emergency care units preparing for potential cases. Public health campaigns are underway to educate communities about early symptoms such as fever, headache, and respiratory distress, and the importance of seeking immediate medical care if infection is suspected.

Officials warn that human-to-human transmission is possible in close contact settings, increasing the risk for families and healthcare workers if proper precautions are not observed. The authorities continue to monitor the situation closely, urging citizens to remain calm yet vigilant as efforts to contain the virus intensify.