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:
- Avoid eating or drinking products that could be contaminated by bats, such as raw date palm sap, raw fruit, or fruit that is found on the ground.
- Wash hands often with soap and water.
- Avoid contact with sick people who have symptoms such as fever and cough, as well as blood and other body fluids.
- Avoid contact with fruit bats.
- 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
- Health Information for Travelers to Bangladesh
- CDC Nipah Virus website
- WHO Nipah Virus Disease
- Travel health and medical evacuation insurance
- Register with the US Department of State
Clinician Information
- Henipaviruses in the CDC Yellow Book: Health Information for International Travel
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.
Page last reviewed: February 24, 2023