The International Health Regulations National Focal Point (IHR NFP) for Bangladesh recently notified the World Health Organization (WHO) of four confirmed fatal cases of Nipah virus (NiV) infection.
As of September 18, 2025, Bangladesh has documented 347 NiV cases through its Nipah surveillance system, which was established to detect and respond to outbreaks promptly, with a case fatality rate of 71.7%.
The WHO reported that between January and August 29, 2025, three geographical divisions in Bangladesh —namely, Barisal, Dhaka, and Rajshahi —reported these NiV patients.
Since the first recognized outbreak in Bangladesh in 2001, human NiV infections have been detected almost every year, says the WHO.
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare in Bangladesh has implemented several public health measures with support from the WHO. The WHO assesses the overall public health risk posed by NiV at the national and regional levels to be moderate; the risk of international disease spread is considered low.
Human NiV infection is an epidemic-prone disease that can cause severe disease in humans and animals, with a high mortality rate, and outbreaks primarily occur in South and South-East Asia.
Recently, in India, NiV-related fatalities were reported.
As of August 6, 2025, Kerala State health officials have reported four cases to the WHO since mid-May, two of which have been fatal.
Since 2018, Kerala has experienced nine outbreaks of the Nipah virus, which is part of a pattern of recurring spillovers.
The WHO states there are currently no specific drugs or vaccines for NiV infection; intensive supportive care is recommended to treat severe respiratory and neurologic complications.
In 2023, the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations invested $$100 million in four Nipah vaccine candidates.
Recently, the U.S. government announced a project to support the development of a Nipah monoclonal antibody, which is currently undergoing Phase 1 clinical trial testing in India and Bangladesh.