The Nipah virus first emerged in Malaysia in 1998, when an outbreak in pigs and humans led to over 100 deaths. Since then, there have been sporadic outbreaks in India, Bangladesh, and other parts of Southeast Asia.
The virus is transmitted from bats to humans through close contact with contaminated bat urine or saliva, or by consuming contaminated fruits or fruit products.
The lack of a vaccine for the Nipah virus highlights the ongoing challenges in addressing zoonotic diseases, and the importance of preparedness to prevent and respond to outbreaks. In this video, we take a closer look at the Nipah virus, its potential to cause harm, and the efforts being made by researchers to better understand and combat this deadly disease.