HealthAugust 23, 2026
henipaviruses
HEN-ih-puh-vy-rus-iz
Definition
A genus of highly pathogenic viruses that naturally circulate in bats and can cause severe, often fatal, respiratory and neurological disease in humans and other animals.
Etymology
The name is a portmanteau derived from 'Hendra' and 'Nipah,' the two prototype viruses discovered in the genus, which were named after the locations where they were first identified.
In the news
The article classifies henipaviruses as Risk Group 4 agents, highlighting their danger and the risk of persistent infection in survivors.
When Farm Animals Get Sick, Human Health Is Often Next
Read the full article ↗Global Biodefense