Latest update (27 Jan 2026): Airport screening reported in parts of Asia for travelers arriving from West Bengal, India. No evidence of widespread community transmission. Measures are precautionary.

Virus structure & organ involvement

Nipah virus is an enveloped RNA virus capable of causing severe neurological and systemic disease. Severe illness most commonly involves encephalitis, with possible respiratory failure and multi-organ involvement in critical cases.

Illustration showing Nipah virus particles and neurological involvement
Illustrative rendering of Nipah virus and organ involvement (royalty-free).
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About Nipah virus

Virus structure & organ involvement

Nipah virus is an enveloped RNA virus capable of causing severe neurological and systemic disease. The illustration below shows viral particles alongside key organs commonly affected, including the brain and lungs.

What type of virus is it?

Nipah virus (NiV) is a zoonotic virus in the genus Henipavirus (family Paramyxoviridae). It is an enveloped, negative-sense, single‑stranded RNA virus.

Origin & discovery

NiV was first recognized during an outbreak in Malaysia and Singapore in 1998–1999, associated with transmission involving pigs and human cases. The virus name comes from Sungai Nipah (Malaysia).

Reservoir

Fruit bats (genus Pteropus) are considered the natural reservoir. Spillover to humans can occur via direct contact, contaminated food, or intermediate animal hosts.

See: References (WHO, CDC, and peer‑reviewed summaries).