Research and analysis

Outbreaks under monitoring: week 6 (week ending 8 February 2026)

Updated 12 February 2026

Disease or pathogen	Nipah virus
Location	Bangladesh
Status	New
Reporting date	6 February 2026
Summary	On 6 February 2026, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported a confirmed fatal case of Nipah virus (NiV) infection in Rajshahi Division, Bangladesh. The case experienced symptom onset on 21 January 2026, was admitted to hospital on 28 January 2026 and died on the same day. On 29 January 2026, samples taken from the case tested positive for NiV. Between 5 and 20 January 2026, the case reported multiple instances of raw date palm sap consumption, which is a known transmission route for NiV to humans. Health authorities identified 35 contacts (3 household, 14 community and 18 hospital contacts), including 6 symptomatic contacts (3 household, 2 community and one hospital) who have tested negative for NiV infection. As of 3 February 2026, no additional cases have been identified. In response, local health authorities initiated an outbreak investigation, active contact tracing and community awareness programmes. Cases of NiV have been reported almost annually in Bangladesh since the first reported cases in 2001, with outbreaks typically coinciding with the harvest and consumption of date palm sap, between December and April. WHO assesses the public health risk posed by Nipah virus to be low in Bangladesh, as well as low at the regional and global level. The risk of international disease spread is considered low. There have been no known cases of NiV reported in the UK to date.  In January 2026, 2 confirmed Nipah virus cases were reported in healthcare workers in West Bengal, India. There is currently no evidence of any epidemiological link between those cases and this case.
Further information	- Nipah virus: epidemiology, outbreaks and guidance - WHO Nipah virus collection - NaTHNaC country information page: Bangladesh