Transmission

Nipah virus (NiV) is a rare but very serious germ that can jump from animals to humans. First found in 1998, it has caused several small outbreaks in South and Southeast Asia. Because this virus has a high death rate—between 40% and 75%—health experts watch it very closely. In early 2026, new cases among healthcare … Read more

Medically Reviewed and Compiled by Dr. Adam N. Khan, MD. Quick Answer: The Nipah virus spreads primarily through fruit bats (the natural hosts), which contaminate food like raw date palm sap or fruits with their saliva and urine. It can also spread to humans through infected animals, particularly pigs, or via close contact with an … Read more