Summary:
- Bangladesh’s IEDCR has detected the first-ever cases of Reovirus in five patients during routine Nipah virus testing in 2024, with all patients making full recoveries.
- The discovery resulted from a collaborative research effort between IEDCR and Columbia University, highlighting Bangladesh’s enhanced disease surveillance capabilities.
- All five infected individuals initially showed Nipah-like symptoms but tested negative for Nipah virus, with health authorities assuring no cause for public concern.
- The cases were identified during winter when Nipah virus cases typically surge due to raw date palm sap consumption, though these Reovirus cases were unrelated to this factor.
The Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control, and Research (IEDCR) has identified five cases of reovirus infection in Bangladesh, marking the first documented instances of the virus in the country. The discovery emerged during routine testing of patients exhibiting Nipah virus-like symptoms in 2024.
Professor Tahmina Shirin, Director of IEDCR, confirmed that all five individuals have fully recovered after treatment and returned home without experiencing severe complications. Health authorities have emphasized there is no cause for public concern regarding these cases.
The groundbreaking detection resulted from collaborative research between IEDCR and Columbia University in the United States. While testing 48 individuals showing symptoms similar to Nipah virus infection, researchers identified the reovirus in five patients, all of whom tested negative for Nipah virus.
This discovery comes amid Bangladesh’s ongoing management of other viral diseases. The country has recently reported two confirmed Nipah virus cases in the Dhaka division, with both cases resulting in fatalities. These Nipah infections were linked to the consumption of raw date palm sap, a known risk factor during winter months.
Reovirus infections are typically common in humans, particularly affecting young children. Studies have shown that reovirus infections often present as mild or asymptomatic cases, occasionally manifesting as mild upper respiratory infections or gastroenteritis.
The health department continues to monitor the situation while maintaining that the reovirus has not shown signs of widespread transmission in Bangladesh. The identification of these cases demonstrates the country’s enhanced disease surveillance capabilities and commitment to public health monitoring.
Source: Dhaka Tribune
