Five people died contracting the Nipah virus across the country this year, said Health Minister Zahid Maleque on Sunday.
"Eight people were infected with the Nipah virus and of them, five people died," he said at a press briefing over the Nipah virus outbreak at the Secretariat.
Usually, more than 70 per cent of infections lead to death and people who drink raw date juice and fruits partially eaten by birds, especially bats, have the possibility of being infected with the virus, Maleque said.
"Besides, healthy people who come in contact with the infected ones also have the possibility of being infected with the virus, and it spreads from person to person quickly, which is a matter of concern," he added.
The government has taken steps to prevent the spread of the Nipah virus, said the minister, adding, "First of all we have to make people aware of the virus through the media."
Besides, the government has taken steps to create dedicated wards and separate Intensive Care units at hospitals for providing treatment to the infected people. There is a vaccine or medicine for the treatment of the virus-infected patients, he added.
He also urged the people to remain alert about the spread of the virus and to refrain from drinking raw date juice and fruits eaten by birds or animals.
Responding to a question about the current situation of the virus, the minister said, "We are trying our best to contain the spread of the virus."
