Nipah virus (NiV) is a highly pathogenic virus that can cause severe neurological and respiratory disease in humans. It is a zoonotic virus, meaning that it initially spreads between animals and people. The animal host reservoir for NiV is the fruit bat, also known as the flying fox. NiV is also known to cause illness in pigs and people. Infection with NiV is associated with encephalitis, which is swelling of the brain, and can cause mild to severe illness and even death. Outbreaks of NiV occur almost annually in parts of Asia, primarily Bangladesh and India. NiV can be transmitted through contaminated food or directly between people. The virus can survive in substances that are rich in sugar, such as in fruit pulp or date palm sap, and consumption of contaminated fruit can lead to infection. The F and G proteins of NiV are responsible for cellular attachment and entry into the host cell. There is no specific treatment for NiV infection, and the primary treatment is supportive care.