Nipah virus was first discovered in 1999 following an outbreak in people and pigs in Malayasia in Singapore. Since then, the zoonotic disease has spread, causing nearly annual outbreaks in areas like Bangladesh and India. In early January 2023, Bangladesh recorded its first death due to encephalitis caused by Nipah virus.
The Daily Star reports that the Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research (IEDCR) in Bangladesh has warned against drinking raw date juice. Because raw date juice could be contaminated by bodily fluids from infected fruit bats, it could cause Nipah virus infection in humans. In the 330 documented cases of this virus in Bangladesh, an estimated 139 cases resulted from raw date juice.
While the IEDCR warns against raw date juice consumption, they do note that date juice is okay to consume if it has been boiled. This also goes for other products, such as molasses, that are made from date juice; the IEDCR reports that these products are safe so long as they have been boiled.
Nipah Virus: An Exploration
So what is Nipah virus? This zoonotic viral infection from the Paramyxoviridae family is typically spread through the secretions or tissue of an infected human or animal. Fruit bats (also known as flying foxes) are the most well-known animal reservoir for Nipah virus, though it has also been seen in pigs. It may be transmitted through human-to-human contact or through the consumption of infected products. Symptoms of Nipah virus typically appear within 4-14 days following viral exposure.
The first symptoms can include:
- Headache
- Muscle pain
- Fever
- Nausea and vomiting
- Cough
- Sore throat
These may progress to more severe symptoms such as:
- Drowsiness
- Dizziness
- Seizures
- Encephalitis (swelling of the brain)
- Altered consciousness
- Atypical pneumonia
- Acute respiratory distress
- Coma
Unfortunately, Nipah virus is fatal in anywhere between 40-75% of cases. Treatment focuses on symptoms and addressing complications.
