Be careful of drinking raw date juice

In Bangladesh, Nipah virus cases are reported almost every year. But this year, the number of such infection is quite high. A total of 10 people out of 14 infected have so far died of this viral infection in 2023. The fatality rate from Nipah virus infection is 73 per cent, which is also very high. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), Nipah virus infection has turned out to be the deadliest among all communicable diseases in the country in terms of mortality rate. Drinking raw date juice is the main source of contracting the virus.
Nipah virus infection is a bat-borne zoonotic disease. It is transmitted to people through infected animals or contaminated food or directly from person to person through close contact, according to the WHO. Fruit bats or flying foxes are the natural carriers of this virus. The consumption of fruits or date or palm juice contaminated with the urine or saliva from infected fruit bats are the likeliest source of the virus both in Bangladesh and India. According to the Institute of Epidemiology Disease Control and Research, infected people develop symptoms like fever, headaches, muscle pain, vomiting and sore throat. An undetected patient can fall into a coma within 24 to 48 hours of contracting the virus.
Unfortunately, there are currently no vaccines or drugs that can treat Nipah virus infection. The primary treatment is only supportive care. However, experts urge people to take some preventive measures so that they can stay safe. Some of them are to practise regular hand washing with soap and water, avoid contact with bats, and keep away from eating or drinking raw date, palm juice and fruit. People must be made aware of the danger from Nipah virus infection.

Samia Jahan Shefa,
Student of Department of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology,
Jashore University of
Science and Technology,
[email protected]