Dear colleagues,
We are pleased to share the seventh issue of the biweekly update from the One Health Secretariat, Bangladesh. This edition highlights key developments and news on diseases and conditions at the human-animal-wildlife interface.
We are also glad to share that all previous issues are now available in this archive. Thank you for your continued support and engagement. We welcome your feedback and thoughts.
Please feel free to share your comments and suggestions with us.
Dr. Sabbir Haider
Dr. Nure Alam
Dr. Farhana Rahman
One Health Secretariat, Bangladesh
Bangladesh
Nipah virus spreads to new areas, signals shift in seasonality
Recent findings shared at a meeting organized by the Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research (IEDCR) indicate that Nipah virus is expanding to new geographic areas of Bangladesh. Experts also noted changes in transmission patterns, suggesting possible shifts in the virus’s seasonality. As no vaccine or curative treatment is currently available, prevention continues to depend entirely on behavior change. Consumption of raw date palm sap and fruits contaminated by bats remains the primary source of infection. One of the growing concerns is the increased online sale and festive consumption of raw date palm sap, which has significantly heightened exposure risks. Experts emphasized the need for coordinated action involving media, schools, religious leaders, and community influencers, which is critical to effectively curbing the spread of this highly fatal disease.
Cold Wave Severely Affects Livestock Farmers in Rangpur
A prolonged cold wave in northern Bangladesh has taken a heavy toll on livestock in Rangpur, leading to feed shortages and a rise in cold-related illnesses. Cattle are increasingly affected by cough and fever, resulting in reduced milk production and financial losses for farmers. Rangpur division, which hosts vast livestock resources, including nearly 7 million cattle and 6.7 million goats, remains particularly vulnerable during extreme winter conditions. The Divisional Livestock Officer acknowledged the hardships faced by farmers and confirmed that government support measures are underway to mitigate losses and protect animal health.
Dengue Transmission Continues to Decrease Nationwide
During the first half of January (1–14 January), dengue transmission continued to decline compared to the last two weeks of December 2025. Reported cases decreased from 2,384 during 15–30 December to 646 during 1–14 January, representing a 72.9% decrease. Dengue-related deaths also declined, from four to one during the reporting period. Males accounted for 66.7% of reported cases, while females accounted for 33.3%. Although dengue transmission remains geographically widespread, Dhaka Division continues to bear the highest burden with 302 cases, followed by Chattogram Division with 150 cases and Barishal Division with 94 cases. The sole dengue-related death during this period was reported from Rajshahi Division.
Seasonal and other influenza trends
Between December 29, 2025, and January 4, 2026, a total of 67 respiratory samples were tested through the integrated SARS-CoV-2 and influenza surveillance platform. Three samples (4.5%) tested positive for influenza, while no SARS-CoV-2 infections were detected based on available data. Cumulatively in 2025, 4,298 of 21,518 samples (20.0%) tested positive for influenza. Influenza type B (Victoria) accounted for nearly half of the cases (49.1%), followed by A/H3 (34.7%), A(H1N1) (16.1%), and A/H5 (0.05%).
(Source: WHO WCO-BAN Epi-Update)
Injured Bengal Tiger Rescued from Poachers’ Snare in the Sundarbans
An injured Bengal tiger was rescued from a deer-hunting trap on January 4, 2026, in the Chandpai Range of the Sundarbans East Forest Division. Forest officials reported receiving initial information on January 3 about a tiger trapped near Joymonir Sharkir Khal. A specialist rescue team safely tranquilized the tiger and transported it to the Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation Center in Khulna for further health assessment and treatment. The animal is currently being treated under the close supervision of the Forest Department’s Veterinary Officer, with technical support from a specialist team comprising experts from agricultural universities and the Department of Livestock Services (DLS).Initially in a critical condition, the tiger has responded well to treatment and is now showing signs of improved strength, natural agility, and wild behavior.Conservation researchers continue to warn that poaching of tigers and their key prey remains a major driver of population decline across tiger landscapes, including the Sundarbans.
(Source: The Daily Star)
Tiger Disease Research in the Sundarbans Completed
The Sundarbans Tiger Conservation Project, initiated by the Bangladesh Forest Department (BFD), organized a dissemination seminar on findings from a landmark tiger disease research study on January 11, 2025, at Agargaon, Dhaka. The Honorable Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MOEFCC), attended the seminar as the Chief Guest, while the Chief Conservator of Forests (CCF), BFD, chaired the session. Tigers have lost over 90% of their historical range; fewer than 6,000 wild tigers remain across 10 countries. Bangladesh’s Sundarbans Mangrove Forest hosts approximately 125 endangered Bengal tigers, facing increasing disease risks.
Intensive human pressure, habitat degradation, illegal livestock grazing, and prey scarcity heighten tiger–human–livestock interactions and disease transmission risks. The study assessed communicable diseases and parasitic infections in Sundarbans tigers. A high prevalence of parasitic infection was detected (85.3% of samples). Multidrug-resistant Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae were identified in wildlife. Canine Distemper Virus (CDV) was not detected in tiger samples; however, 56% of community dogs tested positive, indicating a potential spillover risk.
The study recommends in-depth, multisectoral One Health research and integrated surveillance to address disease risks in tiger populations and prevent zoonotic spillover and AMR in wildlife.
Source: Bangladesh Forest Department (BFD)
Rest of Asia
Suspected Nipah Cases in West Bengal Trigger National Health Response
Two suspected Nipah virus cases have been identified at the Virus Research and Diagnostic Laboratory of the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Kalyani, West Bengal. The cases involved two nurses, a male and a female, working at a private hospital in North 24 Parganas district. Both are critically ill and currently on ventilator support. The individuals had traveled to their homes in East Midnapore and East Burdwan in December, prior to falling ill. They have no history of travel outside the state. A joint outbreak investigation team has been formed and contact tracing efforts are underway.
India reports eleven outbreaks in Kerala
The Government of India has reported 11 outbreaks of highly pathogenic H5N1 bird flu on farms in southern Kerala last month to the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH). The outbreaks, detected from December 9, resulted in the deaths of 54,100 birds, mostly ducks, while another 30,289 birds were subsequently culled as a precautionary measure. The National Institute of High Security Animal Diseases (NIHSAD), Bhopal, confirmed the outbreaks on December 22.
Crimean Congo Hemorrhagic Fever Case Reported in Gujrat
A 26-year-old man from Gandhinagar district in Gujrat has tested positive for Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever (CCHF), prompting extensive surveillance by state health and animal husbandry departments. CCHF is a tick borne viral disease that is usually asymptomatic in animals but can be fatal in humans. The state government deployed five teams to conduct a survey in and around affected villages covering nearly 1000 people. Concurrently, the state animal husbandry department is conducting surveillance for tick infestation among livestock.
Rest of the world:
Novel Cholera Vaccine Shows Promise in Phase 1 Trial
Researchers at Mass General Brigham hospital in Boston have reported promising results from a Phase 1 trial of a novel single-dose, live-attenuated oral cholera vaccine known as PanChol. Developed from the Vibrio cholerae 01 strain responsible for most global cholera outbreaks, the vaccine is designed to mimic natural infection and provide longer-lasting protection. The research team introduced 11 genetic mutations to remove toxin-producing and other virulence genes, along with safeguards to prevent reversion to a toxic form. The randomized controlled trial involved 57 healthy adults in Boston and assessed safety of PanChol across multiple dose levels. Results show that the vaccine was well tolerated, with no serious adverse events. Vaccine shedding, a marker for replication, was detectable across vaccine doses, and alall vaccine recipients developed antibodies capable of killing V. cholerae.
Corrigendum: The drafting team sincerely apologizes for an inadvertent error in the story titled “Three Ministries Reinforce Commitment to One Health” published in the last issue. The article incorrectly stated that the meeting was chaired by the Advisor to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. In fact, the meeting was chaired by the Honorable Advisor to the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock. We regret the error and will take greater care to avoid such mistakes in the future.
