The World Health Organization (WHO) said on Friday that a woman in northern Bangladesh died in January after being infected with the Nipah virus.
Bangladesh, where cases of the virus are reported almost every year, confirmed the fatality as regional health authorities remain on alert following the detection of two Nipah cases in neighbouring India. Those cases have already led several Asian countries to intensify airport health screenings.
According to the WHO, the Bangladeshi patient — aged between 40 and 50 — developed symptoms on January 21, including fever and headache, which later progressed to hypersalivation, disorientation and convulsions. She died about a week later, with laboratory confirmation of Nipah infection received the following day.
The patient had no recent travel history but had consumed raw date palm sap, a known risk factor for Nipah transmission. The virus is commonly spread through food products contaminated by infected fruit bats.
Health authorities have identified and monitored 35 individuals who had contact with the patient. All have tested negative for the virus, and no additional cases have been detected so far.
Nipah is a highly lethal viral infection, with fatality rates reaching up to 75 per cent in some outbreaks. However, it does not transmit easily from person to person.
Following reports of Nipah cases in India’s West Bengal, countries including Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia and Pakistan have introduced temperature screening measures at airports as a precaution.
The WHO said the risk of international spread remains low and that no travel or trade restrictions are recommended based on the current situation.
In 2025, Bangladesh reported four laboratory-confirmed fatal cases of Nipah virus infection. There are currently no licensed vaccines or specific treatments available for the disease.