One dies of Nipah virus in Rajshahi

One died of deadly Nipah virus in Rajshahi last week, said the Institute of Epidemiology Disease Control and Research (IEDCR), adding that the victim drank the raw date juice before being infected with the virus.

The IEDCR organised a seminar on Wednesday over the infection of Nipah virus and other common diseases in winter where they disclosed the casuality. 

Nipah virus was first diagnosed in Meherpur in 2001. Till now, 326 people have been infected with the virus. Of them, 231 people died.

The virus is transmitted from animals to humans and can also be transmitted through contaminated food or directly between people, according to the World Health Organisation.

IEDCR researchers said Nipah virus claimed a woman's life in Rajshahi last week. The 35-year-old woman consumed the raw date juice before being infected with the virus.    

In the event, the IEDCR director Tahmina Shirin said the death rate is high among the people infected with Nipah.   

The virus is transmitted from bat to juice and then juice to humans.

"So, we will have to refrain from having raw juice. Increasing awareness over the issue is mandatory," Tahmina Shirin added.