A 42-year-old farmer died of Nipah virus of Pabna’s Ishwardi on Wednesday night while undergoing treatment at the National Institute of Neuro Sciences and Hospital in the capital.

Pabna civil surgeon Dr. Shahidullah Dewan confirmed this reporter on Thursday. The deceased Khokon Malitha,42, is son of former Ishwardi upazila chairman late Rostam Ali Malitha and a residence of Pratirajpur village of Ishwardi upazila in the district.

According to local and family sources, a week ago, Khokon Malitha suddenly fell ill after consuming date juice from a date garden near the house. The family admitted him to local upazila Health Complex. He was then transferred to Rajshahi. Later, when the condition worsened, he was sent to the National Institute of Neuro Sciences and Hospital in the capital. He died on Wednesday night while undergoing treatment there.

Ishaq Ali Malitha, uncle of Khokon Malitha, Mayor of Ishwardi Municipality, said that he contracted the Nipah virus after consuming date juice. He died last night after a week under treatment. He was buried after the funeral at around 12 noon on Thursday.

Iswardi upazila health and family planning officer Dr. Asma Khatun said, Khokon Malitha died of Nipah virus. After knowing the matter, everyone including the local people went to his house and made them aware. Everyone is advised to refrain from consuming raw date juice.

Pabna civil surgeon Dr. Shahidullah Dewan said, ` we have confirmed that Khokon Malitha died due to Nipah virus. Our medical team has been sent to the spot. The report of the medical team should be sent to Dhaka. He said, in a law-and-order meeting last month, the issue of not consuming date palm juice was discussed. Also warning programmes including miking and leaflets have been carried out for not consuming date palm juice. Still, we are looking into how he consumed the juice.