Nipah virus is a zoonotic virus.

Nipah virus is a virus that spreads from animals to humans. It also spreads from animals to humans and then from one person to another, just like Covid. Nipah infection (NiV) in humans can cause serious respiratory problems. It can also cause life-threatening encephalitis.

Nipah virus, bats and 10 points

  • Known history of Nipah: As far as we have been able to know, cases of this virus were first seen in the year 1998-99. Its cases were confirmed in Kampung Sungai Nipah, Malaysia. More than 250 people came under the grip of this virus here. And this virus caused chaos in the first place.

  • Because this virus was first seen in Malaysia at a place called Kampung Sungai Nipah, just for this reason it got the name Nipah virus.

  • When cases of this virus were first reported in Kampung Sungai Nipah, pigs became the carriers of this disease at that time. And about 40 percent of the people admitted to hospitals had serious diseases. Sadly, those people could not be saved. Since then, the severity and mortality rate of this virus has created fear.

  • Relationship between viruses and bats: Nipah virus is a zoonotic virus. That is, it spreads from animals to humans. Scientists estimate that three out of every four infectious diseases in humans come from animals. Bats are the only flying mammals, and are the second largest after rodents. They fly mainly for food.

  • Relationship between viruses and bats: The Flying Foxes carry many dangerous viruses with them. Due to so many viruses inside them, bats have learned to live a healthy life, but coming in contact with them can be a serious threat to humans.

  • Scientists say that bats contain a lot of viruses that infect people more than other animals. Scientists believe that viruses like SARS, Nipah, Ebola and corona came to humans from bats.

  • According to the World Health Organization (WHO), Nipah virus (NiV) is emerging rapidly. In India too, nipah cases were caused by consumption of bats or infected fruits, especially raw date juice.

  • In the year 2004, some people in Bangladesh came under the grip of this virus. According to reports, these people had tasted the liquid coming out of the palm tree. Which can be infected with fruit bat.

  • After 2001, cases of Nipah virus were also reported in India and Bangladesh.

  • According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, nipah virus infection can cause encephalitis. In which there may be brain fever. About half of the patients may have neurological problems.



  • (Disclaimer: This content, including advice, provides general information only. It is in no way a substitute for qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist or your doctor for more information. NDTV does not claim responsibility for this information.)