Nipah virus is a zoonotic virus, was found in 1999. In January and February 2004, 47 people in Bangladesh were infected with Nipah virus, two outbreaks, 35 of whom are deceased (74% mortality). Infectious disease experts who are familiar with the deadly Nipah virus. In 1998-1999, the Nipah, Malaysia, and immediately thereafter, in Singapore, people began to develop encephalitis (brain inflammation), and in many cases quickly developed into coma and death.

Viral Classification

Family: Paramyxovirus

Formerly in the genus Morbillivirus, now classified in a new genus along with the similar Hendra virus (70% to 88% nucleotide homology, 67% to 92% amino acid homology).

Virion Morphology

1. Helical

2. Enveloped with distinct surface projections

3. 150 to 200 nm in diameter; 10,000 to 10,040 nm long

4. Spherical or filamentous, but pleomorphic forms occur

Genetic Composition

1.Single stranded

2. RNA virus

3. 15,200 to 15,900 nucleotides long

4. Mostly negative-sense, but positive-sense template strands exist

Watch the video of Nipah virus Infection.