Four people from four geographically distinct areas of Bangladesh have died of Nipah virus infections this year, the World Health Organization (WHO) announced today.
The unrelated cases, which occurred between January 1 and August 29, include a child who died in August, outside of the country’s usual Nipah virus season (December to April), and three adults (two men and one woman) with a history of consuming raw palm sap, a known risk. The child, a boy, wasn’t known to have consumed raw palm sap, and his exposure is under investigation.
The deaths occurred in Barisal, Dhaka, and Rajshahi divisions in the Bhola, Faridpur, and Pabna districts, respectively. Last year, five fatal Nipah cases were reported in the country.
Risk of international spread low
Since Bangladesh experienced its first Nipah virus outbreak in 2001, human cases have been identified nearly every year, the WHO said. Of the 347 people with documented infections since 2001, 71.7% have died.
WHO assesses the overall public health risk posed by NiV [Nipah virus] at the national and regional levels to be moderate; the risk of international disease spread is considered low.
“The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare in Bangladesh has implemented several public health measures with support from WHO,” the statement said. “WHO assesses the overall public health risk posed by NiV [Nipah virus] at the national and regional levels to be moderate; the risk of international disease spread is considered low.”
No drugs or vaccines against the virus are available, and treatment of severe respiratory and neurologic complications consists of intensive supportive care.
Nipah is transmitted from animals such as fruit bats and pigs to people, from person to person through close contact, and through food contaminated with the saliva, urine, and waste of infected animals. Nipah virus infection, which can cause severe illness and death in both people and animals, primarily causes outbreaks in South and South East Asia.
Infected people initially develop symptoms such as fever, headaches, muscle pain, vomiting, and a sore throat. In severe cases, dizziness, drowsiness, altered consciousness, and neurologic signs can occur, indicating acute encephalitis (brain inflammation). Atypical pneumonia and severe respiratory problems sometimes develop, and encephalitis, seizures, and coma may ensue within 24 to 48 hours.