THAKURGAON: A total of five members of the same family in Baliadangi upazila of Thakurgaon who have died recently were infected by the rare Nipah virus, said Thakurgaon Civil Surgeon Dr Abu Md Khairul Kabir.

He disclosed the development in this regard at a press conference at his office on Monday (Mar 4).
   
A team of Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research (IEDCR) visited the spot on February 25 and has collected sample from a person supposedly died from the rare Nipah virus.

Later, another 4-member team from Rajshahi visited the spot and investigated different areas of Baliadabgi upazila, Rangpur Medical College Hospital, Thakurgaon Sadar Hospital, Baliadangi upazila health complex from February 25-28 to find out whether anybody infected with Nipah virus.
 
After examining the samples of one of the deceased in Baliadangi upazila of Thakurgaon, IEDCR team has found the presence of Nipah virus in his body, the Civil Surgeon said.

They prepared a list Each and every person who was in contact with the dead persons and their health condition is being monitored by IEDCR.

The virus induces flu-like symptoms that lead to an agonising encephalitis and coma and spread to human body after having raw juice of dates previously ate by bats, he added.

The five deceased were identified as Abu Taher, 55, his wife Hosne ara Begum, 45,  son-in-law Habibur Rahman Chutu, 35, son Yusuf Ali, 27 and Mehedi Hasan, 24, residents of Morichpara village at Dhantola union in Baliadangi upazila. 

BDST: 1708 HRS, MAR 4, 2019
RS/SMS