A woman in Bangladesh has died from the highly infectious Nipah virus, prompting health alerts across the region and raising concerns in Australia. The woman, aged between 40 and 50, was reported to have begun exhibiting symptoms on January 21, 2024. Symptoms included fever, muscle cramps, loss of appetite, headache, and hypersalivation, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
After a week of deteriorating health, she became unconscious and subsequently died. Laboratory tests confirmed her infection with the Nipah virus the following day. Notably, she had no recent travel history but had consumed raw date palm sap, a known risk factor for the virus.
Public Health Response in Bangladesh
Health authorities in Bangladesh have taken action to mitigate potential outbreaks. The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has implemented public health measures aimed at preventing further transmission of the virus. Testing was conducted on 35 individuals who came into contact with the deceased, all of whom tested negative for Nipah virus (NiV).
Historically, small outbreaks of NiV occur in Bangladesh, particularly between December and April, coinciding with the harvesting and consumption of date palm sap. Since 2001, there have been a total of 348 documented cases of Nipah virus in the country, resulting in 250 deaths, leading to an overall case fatality rate of 72 percent.
International Concerns and Precautionary Measures
As the virus poses a significant health risk, the Australian Centre for Disease Control has issued a warning to travelers heading to regions where Nipah virus has been identified. Authorities advise avoiding contact with animals, especially fruit bats and pigs, which are common carriers of the virus.
In light of recent developments, some experts have called for enhanced border measures in Australia. Wang Linfa, a zoonotic diseases expert, emphasized the need for effective monitoring of arrivals from affected regions. He suggested collecting current contact information for passengers to ensure swift communication should any health concerns arise.
“Not everyone who comes in from India needs to be PCR tested,” Linfa stated. “But the contact information must be current in case someone close to arrivals becomes positive. Australia has all the tests ready, so if you suspect anybody, you test; and if positive, you restrict their movements.”
The Nipah virus was first identified in 1998 during an outbreak among pig farmers in Malaysia. Since then, cases have been reported in several countries, including Bangladesh, India, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Singapore. Infected individuals can exhibit flu-like symptoms, including fever, headache, and confusion, and may also experience respiratory complications, such as difficulty breathing or cough, which can lead to pneumonia.
The WHO currently assesses the overall public health risk of Nipah virus to be low at national, regional, and global levels. Nonetheless, the recent fatality underscores the importance of vigilance in monitoring and managing zoonotic diseases.
