Nipah Virus in Bangladesh

Warning - Level 3, Avoid Nonessential Travel
Alert - Level 2, Practice Enhanced Precautions
Watch - Level 1, Practice Usual Precautions

Key points

  • There is an outbreak of Nipah virus disease in several districts in Bangladesh (see map). This outbreak is related to the consumption of date palm sap.
  • The Bangladesh Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and the International Centre for Diarrheal Disease Research, Bangladesh (icddr,b) is conducting an outbreak investigation and working to educate communtities about the risk of Nipah virus infection.
  • Travelers to this area should:
  • Travelers should seek medical care immediately if they develop fever, headache, cough, sore throat, difficulty breathing, vomiting, drowsiness, or confusion during or after travel (up to 14 days). Travelers should call ahead before going to a healthcare facility and tell them about having been in an area with Nipah virus.

Traveler Information

Clinician Information

  • Henipaviruses in the CDC Yellow Book: Health Information for International Travel
Map of Nipah virus outbreak area in Bangladesh
Map: Area of Nipah virus outbreak in Bangladesh (see larger map)
What is Nipah Virus?

Nipah virus is a henipavirus spread through contact with infected animals (fruit bats or pigs), as well as food and materials contaminated with their saliva or urine. Nipah virus can also be spread from person to person through bodily fluids (blood, urine, or saliva).

Symptoms range from mild to severe and typically appear in 4–14 days following exposure to the virus. Signs and symptoms include fever, headache, cough, sore throat, difficulty breathing, vomiting, drowsiness, and confusion. In severe cases, infection can lead to swelling of the brain (encephalitis) and potentially death.  

Nipah virus infection leads to death in 40–70% of cases.