The Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) has issued an advisory to date juice dealers to stop selling raw juice in order to prevent the spread of the deadly Nipah virus.
DGHS Disease Control Branch, Zoonotic Disease Control Program Deputy Program Manager Dr SM Golam Kaisar signed the urgent health advisory on Wednesday, emphasizing the vital need for preventive measures.
According to the advisory, the Nipah virus has mortality rates of more than 70% -- which means 10 out of 14 documented cases resulted in deaths in 2022, and 2023.
The Nipah virus, a fatal viral disease, is known to spread in the winter.
The virus is spread by bat droppings or saliva, which can contaminate raw date juice. Individuals who consume raw date juice may accidentally get the Nipah virus, posing a serious health risk.
The advisory emphasized that Nipah virus infection can affect toddlers, adolescents, and adults alike.
To avoid the spread of this animal-borne infectious disease, effective communication and knowledge among individuals involved in the collection, sale, and distribution of raw date juice, as well as the general public, are critical.
However, the health directorate stated that consuming jaggery derived from date juice is not prohibited.