Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control, and Research (IEDCR) team members in Thakurgaon during the recent Nipah Virus incident Dhaka Tribune

Nipah virus spreads via unfiltered date juice contaminated by bats, and then is transmitted via interpersonal contact

Government medical experts have tracked the mysterious death of five people of a family in Thakurgaon to Nipah virus.

On Sunday night, the Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control, and Research (IEDCR) issued a press release announcing their findings.

IEDCR Director Dr Meerzady Sabrina Flora said the team dispatched to Thakurgaon last week collected samples from the bodies of the deceased and their belongings, along with locals under quarantine.

She said Nipah virus spreads via unfiltered date juice contaminated by bats, and then is transmitted via interpersonal contact.

The IEDCR strongly urges people to not drink date juice before it is treated. It is also providing gloves and masks to people in the affected area.

Between February 9 and 24, five members of a family in Thakurgaon died after complaining of fever, headache, nausea, and pain in muscles and joints.

An IEDCR team was dispatched to investigate and quarantine the area.