IEDCR detects reovirus for the first time in Bangladesh

Reovirus was found in the samples of five individuals for the first time in Bangladesh, according to the Institute of Epidemiology Disease Control and Research (IEDCR).

The IEDCR said samples from as many as 48 people showing symptoms similar to the Nipah virus were tested. Among them, reovirus was found in five people.

However, all of them recovered from the infection and did not experience major health complications.

IEDCR Director Professor Tahmina Shirin said on Friday that the discovery came after testing patients with symptoms of the Nipah virus in 2024.

According to UNB, the health department has assured that there is no cause for concern regarding the reovirus.

It is common for many individuals to be infected with the Nipah virus after drinking raw date juice during the winter months. However, the five individuals who tested positive for the reovirus were all negative for the Nipah virus.

This disease has not spread widely, and these five cases are the first instances of reovirus in Bangladesh.

The virus was identified through regular research conducted by IEDCR in collaboration with Columbia University, USA.