Nipah Virus Awareness Campaign 2026
On May 14, 2026, the Dhaka University Research Society (DURS), in collaboration with IEDCR, icddr,b, CEPI, CDC, and the Faculty of Fine Arts, successfully organized the “Nipah Virus Awareness Campaign 2026” at the Faculty of Fine Arts, University of Dhaka.
Nipah virus remains one of the most critical emerging infectious zoonotic diseases in Bangladesh, carrying a devastating mortality rate of nearly 71%. Given that outbreaks occur predominantly between December and April, this campaign was organized to equip students, faculty, and the broader university community with actionable public health knowledge, preventive measures, and evidence-based insights.
The session opened with welcoming remarks from Humayra Anjir, President of DURS, followed by valuable reflections from Professor Dr. Md. Azharul Islam Sheikh, Honorable Dean of the Faculty of Fine Arts, and Professor Dr. Md. Monjurul Karim, Department of Microbiology and Chief Moderator of DURS. We were also honored by the presence of our Chief Guest, Professor A A M Kaoser Hassan from the Department of Sculpture.
Our distinguished keynote speakers—Dr. Sharmin Sultana (Associate Professor of Virology, IEDCR) and Dr. Syed M. Satter (Associate Scientist & Project Coordinator Unit Head, icddr,b)—provided critical insights into transmission routes, long-term neurological complications among survivors, and essential risk-reduction strategies, such as avoiding raw date palm sap and bat-bitten fruits.
The initiative concluded with an interactive Q&A session, enabling participants to engage directly with health experts, followed by the presentation of floral greetings and commemorative souvenirs to our esteemed guests.
Delivering the closing remarks as General Secretary of DURS, I expressed my deep gratitude to our collaborating partners, faculty members, and dedicated volunteers. Fostering public health consciousness aligns core scientific research with practical community impact, and DURS remains committed to leading initiatives that empower and safeguard our student body.
