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DHAKA, February 7 – The World Health Organization (WHO) announced on Friday that a woman from northern Bangladesh passed away in January following infection with the lethal Nipah virus, representing the most recent case in an area where the disease is typically reported annually.

A woman between the ages of 40 and 50 began experiencing symptoms on January 21, such as fever, headache, excessive saliva production, confusion, and seizures. She died a week later, with laboratory results confirming Nipah virus infection the next day.

Read More: WHO considers the risk of Nipah virus spreading beyond India to be low

The woman did not have a history of travel but had ingested raw date palm sap, which is recognized as a transmission route for Nipah virus from infected fruit bats. All 35 people who came into contact with her are under observation and have tested negative for the virus, according to the WHO. No additional cases have been reported so far.

The emergence in Bangladesh comes after two confirmed Nipah cases were reported in nearby India, leading several Asian nations—such as Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, and Pakistan—to introduce temperature checks at airports. Although the virus has spread across the region, the WHO stated that the risk of global transmission is still low, and no travel or trade restrictions are advised at this time.

Nipah virus infections can be deadly in as many as 75% of instances, although it rarely transmits easily from person to person. At present, there are no approved vaccines or targeted therapies for this virus.

Read More: What is the Nipah virus and what are the methods of treatment?

In 2025, Bangladesh documented four confirmed fatal cases in laboratories. Health officials still urge people to be careful when drinking raw date palm sap and suggest seeking medical help immediately if symptoms appear after contact.

The World Health Organization highlighted continuous monitoring and public education as essential steps to stop additional cases, especially in rural regions where eating possibly tainted goods is frequent.