Five out of eight people infected with the Nipah virus have passed away in the country this year, Health Minister, Zahid Maleque apparently said today.
"We have so far received eight patients this year, five have died…drinking raw date juice, contaminated by bats carrying Nipah virus. Nipah virus-infected people can transmit the disease. This is concerning," Zahid Maleque said while addressing a press conference at his office at the Secretariat.
Advising people not to drink raw date juice, the minister said people should avoid eating fruits which are half eaten by birds.
"There is no cure for Nipah infection. There is no medicine or vaccines. Treatment is based on symptoms as like as the treatment of Covid-19," the minister said.
The government has stepped up an awareness movement among people in this favour, he also mentioned.
A special unit, equipped with ICU, has been prepared at the Infectious Disease Hospital in Dhaka's Mohakhali for providing services to the patients, according to the minister.