Nipah Virus in Bangladesh (Rangpur)

According to media the Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research (IEDCR) reports Nipah virus has caused of 5 deaths in the northwestern Thakurgoan district of Rangpur Division,Bangladesh. People have been warned to avoid drinking raw date juice, which is considered tob be a source of Nipah virus infection.

Prevention in Travellers

Nipah virus (NiV) infection is very rare and has a restricted distribution. The risk to travellers is considered very low.

Consumption of raw date palm sap is a known risk factor for infection in Bangladesh.

The risk of NiV should be discussed with:

• Travellers intending to live or work in basic conditions in South East Asia or who may be involved in intensive pig farming in Bangladesh, India or Malaysia.

Travellers should be advised to:

• Avoid close contact with fruit bats and bat roosts
• Avoid consumption of food/drink potentially contaminated by fruit bats; raw date palm sap should be boiled before being consumed and fruit should be thoroughly washed and peeled.
• Travellers who may be caring for ill relatives potentially infected with Nipah need to be aware of the risks of infection and practice regular hand washing with soap.
• Protective clothing and gloves should be worn when handling sick animals or participating in slaughter.
• Health care workers should follow strict infection control measures for both droplet and contact spread.

For further information see Nipah Virus.