The Change Mariner

WHO probes viral deaths in Bangladesh

Washington Times:

World Health Organization officials said Thursday they were investigating an outbreak of a Nipah-like virus in Bangladesh that has led to 14 deaths.

Nipah virus, first identified in Malaysia in 1999, is thought to be carried by an animal, perhaps bats, cats, dogs and pigs.

WHO said from Jan. 4 to Feb. 8 at least 42 cases and 14 deaths in the Manikganj and Rajbari provinces of Bangladesh have been attributed to a virus that appears to be similar to the Nipah pathogen. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta has confirmed a Nipah-like virus in nine of the cases.