WHO confirms one Nipah virus death in Bangladesh, weeks after two cases in West Bengal

The ‍World Health Organization said on Friday (February 6, 2026) that a woman ​had died in northern Bangladesh in ‌January after contracting the deadly Nipah virus ​infection.

The case in Bangladesh, where Nipah cases are reported almost every year, follows two Nipah virus cases identified in India, which has already prompted stepped-up airport screenings across Asia.

The patient in Bangladesh, aged between 40-50 years, developed symptoms ​consistent with Nipah virus on January 21, including ⁠fever and headache followed by hypersalivation, disorientation and convulsion, the WHO added.

She died a week later and was confirmed ​to be infected ⁠with the virus a day later.

The person had no travel history but had a history of consuming raw date palm sap. All 35 ‌people who had contact with the patient are ‌being monitored and have tested negative for the virus, and no further cases ‍have been detected to date, the WHO said.

Screenings across Asia

Nipah is an infection that spreads mainly through ‍products contaminated by infected bats, such as fruit. It can be fatal in up to 75% of cases, but it does not spread easily between people.

Countries including Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, and Pakistan implemented temperature screenings at airports after India said cases of the virus had been found in West ⁠Bengal.

The WHO said on Friday that the risk of international disease spread is considered ​low and that it does not recommend any travel ⁠or trade restrictions based on current information.

In 2025, four laboratory-confirmed fatal cases were reported in Bangladesh.

There are currently no licensed medicines or vaccines specific for the infection.