Dear colleagues,
With great pleasure, we share the 10th issue of the One Health Biweekly Update from the One Health Secretariat, Bangladesh, a milestone that reflects our shared commitment to staying informed, connected, and prepared in an increasingly interconnected health landscape.
With each edition, we have tried to bring together insights from both official and credible public sources to provide a timely, cross-sectoral view of emerging risks and trends in Bangladesh and the region. We are also glad to note that all previous issues are now available in our archive.
This progress reflects your continued readership and the dedication of our moderator team. We sincerely appreciate your engagement and invite you to share feedback through the SurveyMonkey link to help us further strengthen future editions.
Thank you for being part of this growing One Health community.
Dr. Sabbir Haider
Dr. Nure Alam
Dr. Farhana Rahman
One Health Secretariat, Bangladesh
RESULT
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Bangladesh
Persistent Leprosy Burden Despite Elimination Status
Although Bangladesh achieved leprosy elimination (defined as <1 case per 10,000 population) nearly three decades ago, more than 3,000 new cases continue to be detected annually. Achieving the national target of zero transmission by 2030 will require intensified active case detection, particularly in high-burden districts, alongside sustained treatment adherence and community awareness initiatives.
(Source: Daily Star)
Seasonal Influenza Remains Low
Between 12 and 18 January 2026, integrated respiratory surveillance tested 286 samples; 4.2% were influenza-positive, and no SARS-CoV-2 detections were reported. Current findings suggest continued circulation of seasonal influenza viruses at relatively low levels.
(Source: WHO WCO-BAN Epi-Update)
Rising Dengue Cases Across Bangladesh
Between 15 January and 1 February 2026, dengue transmission in Bangladesh increased markedly. Reported cases rose from 681 to 1,095, representing a 60.8% increase during the reporting period. One dengue-related death was recorded during this period. Transmission remains geographically widespread, with the highest burden reported in Dhaka Division (497 cases), followed by Chattogram (261) and Barishal (157). Males accounted for 63.7% of reported cases while females accounted for 36.3%. The trend suggests ongoing vector activity and the need for strengthened surveillance and vector control measures outside traditional peak seasons.
(Source: IEDCR website)
Declining Migratory Bird Populations Signal Environmental Stress
Migratory bird numbers at Jahangirnagar University wetlands have fallen dramatically from approximately 6,000–7,000 birds during peak seasons to just about 1,500 this year. Experts attribute the decline to habitat loss, unplanned construction, wetland degradation, and noise pollution, indicating broader ecological pressures across surrounding wetlands in Savar, Ashulia, and Dhamrai. This trend highlights growing environmental risks with potential implications for biodiversity and ecosystem health.
(Source: Dhaka Tribune)
Call for a National RSV Vaccination Strategy
Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) circulates widely in Bangladesh from October to April and is a major contributor to pneumonia, one of the leading causes of death among children under five. RSV accounts for an estimated 36% of severe acute respiratory illness (SARI) cases, including 44% among infants under six months. Despite the high burden, the country lacks National RSV vaccination strategy while RSV vaccines and monoclonal antibodies are available globally. Experts urge for strengthening RSV surveillance and inclusion of RSV prevention in national immunisation frameworks to reduce under-five morbidity and mortality.
Third National Faunal Red List Assessment Initiated
Bangladesh has launched its third national assessment Faunal Red List assessment, led by the Bangladesh Forest Department under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), with technical support from International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Approximately 2,200 species will be reassessed using internationally recognized criteria to update extinction risk classifications. A national workshop held on 29 January 2026 brought together policymakers, scientists, researchers, and academic institutions to define the scope, methodology, and coordination mechanisms for the assessment. The updated Red List is expected to strengthen the national evidence base for wildlife conservation, guide habitat protection and species recovery efforts, and support Bangladesh’s commitments under global biodiversity frameworks, including the Convention on Biological Diversity.
Rest of Asia
Only Two Nipah Cases Confirmed in West Bengal
The Press Information Bureau (PIB) of India, citing the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), has reported that only two cases of Nipah virus disease have been confirmed in West Bengal from December last year up to 27 January 2026. A total of 196 contacts linked to the confirmed cases were identified, traced, monitored, and tested. All contacts were found to be asymptomatic and tested negative in laboratory investigations.
Regional Preparedness Measures Increased Following Nipah Detection
Several countries, airports in Asia, including Thailand and Nepal, have stepped up screening measures after cases of the deadly Nipah virus were reported in West Bengal in India. On Sunday, 25 January, Thailand began screening fliers from West Bengal at three international airports in Bangkok and Phuket. Passengers from flights incoming from Bengal have been asked to make health declarations. Meanwhile, health authorities in Taiwan have proposed to list the Nipah virus as a Category 5 disease that requires immediate reporting and special control measures.
Fatal Tapeworm Infection Highlights Food Safety Risks
An 18-year student from Uttar Pradesh died at a Delhi hospital after doctors found cysts caused by tapeworm in the brain. The infection was suspected to be linked to contaminated cabbage used in fast food. Leafy vegetables with folds can trap parasite eggs if exposed to contaminated soil or water, underscoring the importance of proper washing and food hygiene practices.
Sharp Rise in Dengue Cases in Sri Lanka
The National Dengue Control Unit (NDCU) of Sri Lanka reported 6,521 dengue cases in January 2026, an increase from 4,970 cases during the same period in 2025. This indicates continued regional transmission pressure.
Avian Influenza Events Reported in Bhutan and India
Bhutan government has confirmed an outbreak of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (H5N1) in backyard poultry in Toorsa Amochhu Colony B, Phuentsholing Thromde in Tshethar following laboratory confirmation on 23 January 2026.
Separately, H5N1 infections were detected in crows in Kerala, India, prompting local alerts, although no cases have been identified in domestic poultry. These events underscore ongoing zoonotic influenza risks across the region.
(Sources: Kuensel's post, Wionews)
More Mpox Cases in Punjab
Four new cases of Mpox formerly known as monkey pox were confirmed in Lahore, Pakistan and are currently receiving treatment at Mayo hospital.
Rest of the world:
Asymptomatic Transmission of Mpox Raises Concern
Asymptomatic transmission may be a reason for wide transmission in Africa. University of Cambridge study suggests that the virus may be capable of spreading asymptomatically, a phenomenon once believed to be relatively rare. Blood samples of 3 per cent of the cohort of 176 people contained Mpox antibodies but none of them had symptoms of Mpox.
Shingles Vaccine May Slow Biological Aging in Older Adults
Recent research highlights the potential broader benefits of vaccination beyond disease prevention. A new observational study from the USC Leonard Davis School of Gerontology suggests that the shingles (herpes zoster) vaccine may also contribute to healthier aging among older adults. Using data from 3,884 adults aged 70 years and above in the U.S. Health and Retirement Study, vaccinated participants demonstrated lower levels of chronic inflammation, stronger immune function, slower epigenetic aging, and a more favorable composite biological aging score compared with unvaccinated individuals. These effects were most pronounced within three years of vaccination and appeared to persist beyond that period.
(Source: The Gerontological Society of America)
Two Newly Emerging Viruses with Epidemic Potential
Recent research highlights two emerging respiratory viruses, influenza D virus (IDV ) and canine coronavirus HuPn-2018, as having considerable potential for human transmission. IDV has been detected across multiple livestock and wildlife species, including camels, deer, giraffes, kangaroos, llamas, wallabies, and wildebeests and recently in poultry, and may cause subclinical infections among people with occupational exposure. Sporadic human cases of the recombinant coronavirus have been reported across several countries. The first identified case was found in a child hospitalized with pneumonia in Sarawak State, Malaysia. Subsequent detection of nearly identical strains in Haiti, Thailand, and the U.S. state of Arkansas suggests wider geographic distribution. These findings underscore the importance of sustained zoonotic surveillance to detect and assess emerging cross-species transmission risks.
