Emerging Infectious Diseases (Jun 2001)

Nipah Virus Infection in Bats (Order Chiroptera) in Peninsular Malaysia

  • Johara Mohd Yob,
  • Hume Field,
  • Azmin Mohd Rashdi,
  • Christopher Morrissy,
  • Brenda van der Heide,
  • Paul Rota,
  • Azri bin Adzhar,
  • John White,
  • Peter Daniels,
  • Aziz Jamaluddin,
  • Thomas Ksiazek

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3201/eid0703.017312
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 7, no. 3
pp. 439 – 441

Abstract

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Nipah virus, family Paramyxoviridae, caused disease in pigs and humans in peninsular Malaysia in 1998-99. Because Nipah virus appears closely related to Hendra virus, wildlife surveillance focused primarily on pteropid bats (suborder Megachiroptera), a natural host of Hendra virus in Australia. We collected 324 bats from 14 species on peninsular Malaysia. Neutralizing antibodies to Nipah virus were demonstrated in five species, suggesting widespread infection in bat populations in peninsular Malaysia.

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