Don’t drink... pss
Nipah Virus: Don’t drink raw date juice
Warns IEDCR as country reports this year’s first death
Health experts yesterday advised people to not drink raw date juice, the main source of the Nipah virus in the country, following the recent death of a woman.
At an event yesterday, the Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research (IEDCR) told reporters that the 35-year-old woman died from Nipah-induced encephalitis in Rajshahi last week.
Last year, the IEDCR recorded three Nipah virus cases, two of which led to death – one in Naogaon and the other in Faridpur.
"We don't know much about this deadly virus yet. So far, we know that it has around 71 percent fatality rate and raw date juice is the main source of contracting it. So, we must refrain from consuming it," said Prof Tahmina Shirin, director of the IEDCR, while sharing data on the viral infection.
She, however, said consuming the juice of dates or molasses is safe when and if it is boiled [as high temperatures may kill the virus].
According to the World Health Organization, the Nipah virus infection is a zoonotic illness that is transmitted to people from animals and can also be transmitted through contaminated food or directly from person to person.
It causes a range of illnesses from asymptomatic (subclinical) infection to acute respiratory illness and fatal encephalitis. The virus can also cause severe diseases in some animals.
In Bangladesh and India, the consumption of fruits or fruit products (such as raw date palm juice) contaminated with the urine or saliva from infected fruit bats were the likeliest sources of the virus.
According to the IEDCR, infected people initially develop symptoms such as fever, headaches, myalgia (muscle pain), vomiting and sore throat. An undetected patient can even fall into a coma within 24 to 48 hours of contracting the virus.
There are currently no drugs or vaccines that specifically target Nipah virus infection. The primary treatment for humans is supportive care.
Dr Sharmin Sultana, senior scientific officer at the IEDCR, presented the highlights on Nipah surveillance in Bangladesh.
The virus was first identified as the cause of an encephalitis outbreak in 2001 in Meherpur.
In 2006, the Nipah Surveillance and Laboratory was established at the IEDCR.
Since then, 330 cases of the infection were documented. Of those infected, 231 died, indicating a very high mortality rate – 71 percent.
At least 139 of those infected contracted it from bats through date juice, while 46 others from another human carrier.
Closing in on protection against deadly Nipah virus
Nipah virus is among the world’s deadliest pathogens, yet no approved countermeasures currently exist. CEPI is working to change that through its $150 million Nipah virus R&D portfolio spanning the full preparedness chain—from countermeasure development and manufacturing to anticipating a Nipah-like Disease X from the same paramyxovirus family—including funding the world’s most advanced Nipah vaccine candidate, now in Phase II trials in Bangladesh.
For this Innovations for Impact story, we spoke with icddr,b’s Dr K Zaman, who is leading the first-ever Phase II Nipah vaccine trials, and CEPI’s Nipah programme lead, Rick Jarman, to explore how CEPI is helping the world prepare to confront one of the most lethal viral threats.
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Fruit juice—seemingly harmless and enjoyed the world over. But for some people in Bangladesh, drinking a popular local juice can come with deadly consequences.
“Raw date juice is a well-enjoyed drink among rural communities in Bangladesh. But many don’t realise it can be contaminated by bats who carry the Nipah virus,” said Dr K Zaman, Principal Investigator of the first-ever Phase II CEPI-funded Nipah vaccine trial at Bangladesh’s icddr,b, a health research institution. “People drink the juice and become infected.”
This simple thirst-quenching accident can prove fatal. Nipah virus kills up to 75 percent of the people it infects. It is one of the world’s most lethal viral pathogens.
It’s this extremely high death rate, and the fact that Nipah has the potential to mutate and spread to many more parts of the world, that is driving scientists to develop a protective vaccine.
One potential vaccine, developed in a CEPI-funded partnership with the University of Oxford and its ChAdOx vaccine platform, was the first in the world to begin mid-stage clinical trials in Bangladesh in late 2025.
Dr Zaman, who has overseen 78 clinical trials at icddr,b, said he hopes this trial will generate new knowledge on how a future Nipah vaccine could save lives in Bangladesh.
And it’s not just Bangladesh that could one day benefit from this vaccine. Since its discovery in 1998, Nipah outbreaks have been confined to South and Southeast Asia. But the virus’s natural hosts—fruit bats—range across regions that are home to more than two billion people. As human activity pushes deeper into bat habitats, the risk of spillover is only growing.
Rick Jarman, Nipah programme lead at CEPI, said the fact that such a large range of domestic and farm animals are susceptible to Nipah virus from bats is a major concern, as Nipah can infect humans both through contaminated food and direct contact with infected animals. Each time it spills over, the risk of mutation and potentially increased transmissibility grows, he said.
CEPI is the world’s largest funder of Nipah research and development. Its $150 million portfolio—including two Nipah vaccine candidates and a monoclonal antibody—spans the whole preparedness chain, from countermeasure development and manufacture, to preparing for a novel Nipah-like Disease X—an as-yet unknown pathogen with outbreak potential—that could emerge from the same paramyxovirus viral family.
A big part of this preparedness comes from CEPI’s partnership with the University of Oxford and Serum Institute of India—the world’s largest vaccine manufacturer and part of CEPI’s Vaccine Manufacturing Network. This collaboration not only enabled Serum to manufacture Oxford’s ChAdOx1 NipahB vaccine candidate for the Phase II Bangladesh trials, but it also aims to create an investigational-ready reserve of up to 100,000 doses of the vaccine. These doses could then be deployed under a research protocol in an outbreak.
Jarman described this investigational reserve as CEPI’s “number one priority” for Nipah virus over the next year or two. With the potential for experimental vaccine doses at the ready in a region where the virus persistently pops up, it becomes possible to launch an emergency trial that can advance the candidate toward licensure and potentially – if the vaccine is indeed effective – provide protection to high-risk individuals.
The collaboration with Serum goes “way beyond being a manufacturing partner”, Jarman said and includes working with a world-class vaccine developer with deep regulatory experience and a strong relationship with the Indian government, alongside the regional experience required to make a Nipah vaccine a reality.
That’s important because large-scale efficacy trials, typically needed before a vaccine can be approved, are unlikely to be feasible given that outbreaks of Nipah are small and sporadic. But the potential data generated if the vaccine is used in emergency settings can help provide an alternative path to approval.
Jarman estimates that a Nipah vaccine could be ready for licensure within the next five years, so building these pathways with regulators now is crucial.
But when it comes to one of the world’s deadliest viruses, vaccines are only part of the story. Even if a vaccine proves successful, it could take weeks before someone vaccinated develops enough protective immunity.
That’s why CEPI is also funding the development of a Nipah monoclonal antibody, or mAb, which could provide immediate protection, acting as a bridge before the onset of longer-lasting vaccine-induced immunity. Such a tool would be particularly useful for protecting high-risk people like healthcare workers.
In what will be another world first, the Nipah mAb, MBP1F5, led by non-profit biotechnology company ServareGMP, is due to begin early to mid-stage trials in a Nipah-affected country in 2026.
Used together—vaccines and mAbs—they could provide a potent protective shield and constrain an outbreak’s potential.
Investing in a range of novel technologies and modalities like this increases the likelihood of successful countermeasure development and helps validate the technology for a future Disease X.
And it helps strengthen global preparedness against not only Nipah virus, but the entire paramyxovirus viral family. If a future paramyxovirus Disease X were to emerge, rapid response platforms like ChAdOx could be quickly adapted to create new vaccines, building on the scientific knowledge and data generated from Nipah R&D. Combined with regional manufacturing capability and expertise, this could accelerate the development of life-saving vaccines against an emerging paramyxovirus with epidemic or pandemic potential. This supports CEPI's 100 Days Mission, which aims to accelerate vaccine timelines to 100 days in response to a pandemic pathogen being identified.
Together, these strands of preparedness—countermeasure development, manufacturing and preparing for a Disease X—form a chain that could one day stop a future Nipah outbreak in its tracks and, at the same time, reduce the threat of other viruses lurking within the pernicious paramyxovirus family.
Breaking News Barron Trump hospitalized after having …see more
Breaking News Barron Trump hospitalized after having …
Barron Trump has continued attracting major public attention recently, even though he remains one of the most private members of the Trump family. As the youngest son of Donald Trump and Melania Trump, Barron spent most of his childhood under intense media attention, especially during the years his father served as President of the United States.
However, unlike many children from famous political families, Barron has mostly avoided interviews, social media activity, and public controversy. Because of this, people are often curious whenever he appears publicly or becomes involved in new projects.
Barron Trump is currently 20 years old and is believed to be continuing his education in business studies in New York. Over the past year, he has gradually started appearing more often at major public events connected to his family.
His appearances frequently become major topics online because many people are surprised by how much older and taller he now looks compared to earlier years when he was still a teenager living in the White House.
One of Barron’s most talked-about recent appearances happened during a major political event where he attended alongside several members of the Trump family. Photos and videos from the event spread rapidly online because Barron appeared more mature, confident, and relaxed than people remembered.
Many viewers commented on his height, calm demeanor, and reserved personality. Unlike some members of the Trump family who often speak publicly or engage heavily with the media, Barron usually remains quiet and avoids drawing attention to himself.
Recently, Barron Trump has also gained attention because of reports connected to business and entrepreneurship. According to several discussions surrounding him, he has become increasingly interested in business development and private ventures.
One project that generated significant public interest involved a beverage company connected to yerba mate energy drinks. The project reportedly focused on health-oriented drinks inspired by South Florida culture and lifestyle. News surrounding this venture surprised many people because Barron had previously stayed almost entirely outside public business discussions.
People close to the Trump family have reportedly described Barron as intelligent, ambitious, and very focused behind the scenes. Although he maintains a low profile publicly, there are claims that he spends significant time studying business strategy, finance, and entrepreneurship.
Some observers believe he may eventually follow a path similar to his father in the business world, although he currently appears far less interested in political attention or public controversy.
Another reason Barron Trump continues attracting widespread attention is because of how mysterious his personal life remains. Unlike many celebrity children who actively use social media or seek entertainment careers, Barron rarely shares personal details publicly. This privacy has caused constant curiosity online, with people often speculating about his future career, personality, and interests.
Regarding his health, there are currently no verified reports suggesting that Barron Trump is seriously ill or facing major medical problems. During his recent public appearances, he appeared physically healthy, active, and composed. Videos and photographs from events show him walking confidently alongside family members and interacting normally in public settings.
Because Barron remains so private, rumors about his health sometimes spread across social media platforms. However, many of these rumors appear to come from speculation rather than confirmed information.
His quiet personality and reserved expressions during events often lead people online to invent stories or assumptions about his emotional state or health, but no reliable evidence currently supports claims of any major medical condition.
Many people also continue discussing Barron Trump’s extraordinary height. He is widely believed to stand well over six feet tall, making him noticeably taller than most public figures around him.Whenever he appears next to his parents or siblings, social media users frequently react to how dramatically he has grown over the years. His height alone often becomes one of the most discussed aspects of his appearances.
Observers often describe Barron as a combination of both his parents’ personalities. Some people believe he inherited Donald Trump’s business instincts and confidence while also reflecting Melania Trump’s quieter, more private nature. Melania has always appeared especially protective of Barron throughout his childhood, often trying to shield him from unnecessary media attention.
In recent years, Barron’s public image has gradually shifted from “the president’s young son” to a young adult beginning to build his own future. This transition has created even more public fascination because many people are curious about what direction he may eventually take.
Some believe he could enter business full-time, while others wonder whether he might someday become involved in politics. At the moment, however, Barron seems focused mainly on education, personal growth, and private business interests.
Despite constant public curiosity, Barron Trump still appears determined to maintain a very controlled and private lifestyle. He rarely gives public statements, avoids online drama, and almost never engages directly with the media. This approach is unusual in today’s celebrity culture, where many public figures constantly share details about their personal lives online.
Interestingly, this privacy may actually be one reason why people remain so interested in him. Because so little is known about his day-to-day life, every appearance or rumor quickly becomes major online discussion material. Simple photographs or short public moments involving Barron often generate millions of views and comments across social media platforms.
Many supporters of the Trump family see Barron as someone growing into adulthood with discipline and composure despite enormous public attention throughout his life. Others simply remain curious because he represents a younger generation of one of America’s most famous political families. Regardless of political opinions, Barron Trump continues attracting widespread attention whenever he appears publicly.
At the moment, recent reports and public appearances suggest that Barron Trump is healthy, focused, and gradually becoming more involved in business-related projects while still maintaining strong privacy around his personal life. He appears calm, reserved, and increasingly independent as he enters adulthood under constant media attention.
Although many internet rumors continue circulating about him, there is currently no verified information indicating any serious health crisis or major personal problem. Instead, the available public information suggests that he is continuing his education, exploring business opportunities, and remaining close to his family while largely avoiding the spotlight whenever possible.
Overall, Barron Trump remains one of the most talked-about yet mysterious young public figures in America today. His rare appearances, business interests, reserved personality, and connection to the Trump family ensure that public interest surrounding him willlikely continue growing for years to come.
