The genetic diversity of Nipah virus across spatial scales

New research has revealed important insights into the Nipah virus, a deadly pathogen transmitted by Pteropus bats in South and Southeast Asia. Despite its severe impact on human health, researchers’ understanding of the virus has been limited due to challenges in studying its genetic makeup in bats. By employing advanced genetic analysis techniques on a vast dataset spanning over two decades and six countries, scientists have identified 15 distinct genetic clusters of the virus. They found a surprising level of variety within the virus.

• Up to 5.5 different Nipah virus clusters can co-exist in a single bat area.
• These clusters seem to be relatively stable and spread over large areas.
• So far, they have only identified a small fraction (around 15%) of the total Nipah virus diversity in bats.
• These findings underscore the need for continued vigilance and research to fully comprehend and mitigate the threat posed by this deadly virus.