Be careful of drinking raw date juice

In Bangladesh, Nipah virus cases are reported almost every year. However, this year, the number of such infections is quite high.
A total of 10 people out of 14 infected have 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 become 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, 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, date juice, or palm juice contaminated with urine or saliva from infected fruit bats is the most likely source of the virus in both Bangladesh and India.
According to the Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research, infected people develop symptoms such as 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 available to treat Nipah virus infection. The primary treatment is supportive care.
However, experts urge people to take preventive measures to stay safe.
These include practising regular handwashing with soap and water, avoiding contact with bats, and refraining from eating or drinking raw date juice, palm juice, or contaminated fruits. People must be made aware of the dangers posed by Nipah virus infection.

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