In a concerning update from Dhaka, health officials have confirmed the first death of 2024 attributed to the Nipah virus in Bangladesh. An individual in Manikganj succumbed after consuming raw date juice, a practice that has been linked to the transmission of the virus, which can jump from animals to humans.
Originating in Malaysia in 1999, the Nipah virus has since surfaced in Bangladesh, India, and Singapore, claiming over 160 lives in Bangladesh alone. The virus harbors in fruit bats and is notorious for its ability to spread through contact with contaminated fluids from bats, pigs, or humans.
The latest victim, whose case was verified by laboratory tests, brings attention to the persistent risk the Nipah virus poses, particularly in areas where consumption of raw date sap is common. Tahmina Shirin from the Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research in Bangladesh has emphasized the danger of consuming raw date juice and fruit that has been compromised by birds or bats.
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There are currently no vaccines or specific treatments for the Nipah virus, which makes prevention and control measures critical. The disease presents with symptoms ranging from fever and headache to severe respiratory issues and brain swelling, leading to a high mortality rate that WHO estimates to be between 40% to 75%.
In 2023, Bangladesh saw its highest fatalities due to the Nipah virus in seven years, with 10 out of 14 infected individuals succumbing to the illness. This recent death underlines the urgency for increased public awareness and stringent adherence to health advisories to prevent further outbreaks.
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