Nipah a serious public health threat

The Nipah virus outbreak in Bangladesh is no longer merely a seasonal health concern; it has become a matter of national alarm. According to the Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research (IEDCR), the virus has already been detected in 35 of the country's 64 districts, signalling a worrying geographical spread.
Even more disturbing is the fatality trend. All four cases reported so far in 2025 have resulted in death, highlighting the extreme danger posed by this infection and the urgent need for stronger preventive action.
Until recently, Nipah was largely associated with winter outbreaks linked to the consumption of raw date palm sap. However, this understanding changed after the confirmation of an off-season case in August last year, reportedly linked to fruit partially eaten by bats. This indicates that Nipah can now pose a year-round threat, with transmission possible through fruits contaminated by bat saliva or urine.
As there is still no specific treatment or vaccine for Nipah, prevention remains the only effective defence. IEDCR guidelines rightly advise people to avoid raw date palm sap and refrain from consuming fallen, partially eaten, or pest-damaged fruits. Yet warnings alone are insufficient. Information about the evolving nature of the virus and its multiple transmission routes must reach communities at the grassroots level.
Special surveillance, awareness campaigns, and community engagement should be strengthened in high-risk districts such as Faridpur, Rajbari, Naogaon, and Lalmonirhat. The media, local representatives, and health authorities must work together to promote safe food practices and early reporting.

Ashikujaman Syed
International Business Development Manager
Shenzhen Kangshengbao Biotechnology Co., Ltd.
Shenzhen, China