Committed to PEOPLE'S RIGHT TO KNOW Vol. 5 Num 138 Sun. October 10, 2004       Star Health Health and science bulletin Nipah encephalitis out-break over wide area of western Bangladesh During January and February 2004, an outbreak of Nipah encephalitis occurred. Twenty-nine laboratory confirmed or probable cases were identified; 22 patients died. While most cases occurred within Goalanda in Rajbari District, Nipah associated illness was also identified Joypurhat, Naogaon, Natore, Faridpur, Gopalganj, Manikganj, and Dhaka Districts. There was no clear evidence of person-to-person transmission during this outbreak. Fruit bats (Pteropus giganteus) appear to be the principal reservoir for the virus; ongoing studies have the objective of defining the modes of transmission. Source: ICDDR,B