Key facts Nipah virus is a serious, sometimes deadly, viral disease This relatively recent disease – it only emerged in 1998 – is spread by fruit bats (also known as flying foxes) to humans and animals Nipah virus can be spread from person to person through close contact Outbreaks occur in parts of Asia, often in Bangladesh and India The case fatality rate is estimated at 40 to 75 per cent Overview Nipah virus is a zoonotic virus, meaning it can be transmitted from animals to humans. It is carried by fruit bats (flying foxes) of the genus Pteropus which are found throughout south east Asia. Nipah can also be spread through contaminated food or directly between people. The virus can cause a range of illnesses, from asymptomatic infection to acute respiratory illness and fatal encephalitis. It can also cause severe disease in animals such as pigs, resulting in significant economic losses for farmers.…