This comprehensive list features 51 scientifically recognized viruses that start with the letter K. These viruses come from all over the world and include diverse types, such as tick-borne flaviviruses and mosquito-transmitted orthobunyaviruses. Many affect humans with symptoms ranging from mild fever to serious neurological illnesses, while others infect animals or plants without known human impact.
Explore the full alphabetical table below to understand these viruses better.
Virus Name This column lists the official name of each virus, used by researchers and health authorities.
Family This shows the virus family or classification, providing insight into its biological group and related viruses.
Primary Hosts Indicates the main organisms the virus infects, such as humans, animals, insects, or plants.
Associated Illness/Symptoms Details the common symptoms or diseases caused by the virus in its primary host, focusing on medically relevant effects.
Transmission Method Explains how the virus spreads, including vectors like ticks or mosquitoes, direct contact, or mechanical means.
Descripción Provides a brief summary highlighting the virus’s origin, ecological role, and any known impact on human or animal health.
Viruses that start with K
| Virus Name | Classification | Affects Humans? | Symptoms | Transmission Method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kadam virus | Peribunyaviridae (Orthobunyavirus) | Yes | Fever, headache, myalgia, sometimes rash | Mosquito bite |
| Kadipiro virus | Flaviviridae (Flavivirus) | No | None documented in humans | Tick bite |
| Kaeng Khoi virus | Phenuiviridae (Phlebovirus) | No | None documented in humans | Mosquito bite |
| Kaili virus | Flaviviridae (Flavivirus) | No | None documented in humans | Mosquito bite |
| Kaincope virus | Flaviviridae (Flavivirus) | No | None documented in humans | Mosquito bite |
| Kalanchoe latent virus | Tobamoviridae (Tobamovirus) | No | Chlorotic spots, stunted growth | Mechanical transmission, sap |
| Kalanchoe top-spotting virus | Unassigned | No | Top-spotting, leaf distortion | Mechanical transmission |
| Kama virus | Nairoviridae (Orthonairovirus) | Yes | Fever, headaches, joint pain | Tick bite |
| Kamese virus | Phenuiviridae (Phlebovirus) | No | None documented in humans | Sandfly bite |
| Kamimbi virus | Flaviviridae (Flavivirus) | No | None documented in humans | Tick bite |
| Kamiti River virus | Togaviridae (Alphavirus) | No | None documented in humans | Mosquito bite |
| Kaposi’s sarcoma-associated herpesvirus | Herpesviridae (Gammaherpesvirus) | Yes | Kaposi’s sarcoma, primary effusion lymphoma | Direct contact, saliva |
| Karasu virus | Nairoviridae (Orthonairovirus) | Yes | Hemorrhagic fever, fever, myalgia | Tick bite |
| Karshi virus | Flaviviridae (Flavivirus) | Yes | Fever, headache, neurological symptoms | Tick bite |
| Kashmir bee virus | Dicistroviridae (Dicistrovirus) | No | Paralysis, disorientation, trembling | Oral ingestion, direct contact (bees) |
| Kasokero virus | Nairoviridae (Orthonairovirus) | Yes | Fever, headache, joint pain | Tick bite |
| Kedougou virus | Flaviviridae (Flavivirus) | No | None documented in humans | Mosquito bite |
| Kelp fly virus | Picornaviridae (Cripavirus) | No | Muscle necrosis | Oral ingestion |
| Kemerovo virus | Reoviridae (Orbivirus) | Yes | Fever, headache, meningitis | Tick bite |
| Kentish belle-associated tombusvirus | Tombusviridae (Tombusvirus) | No | Stunted growth, leaf discoloration | Mechanical transmission |
| Kenyan anthurium latent virus | Flexiviridae (Potexvirus) | No | Latent infection, mild mosaic | Mechanical transmission, sap |
| Keterah virus | Phenuiviridae (Phlebovirus) | No | None documented in humans | Sandfly bite |
| Ketapang virus | Flaviviridae (Flavivirus) | No | None documented in humans | Mosquito bite |
| Keuraliba virus | Flaviviridae (Flavivirus) | No | None documented in humans | Mosquito bite |
| Khasan virus | Flaviviridae (Flavivirus) | Yes | Fever, headache, fatigue | Tick bite |
| Kilham rat virus | Parvoviridae (Protoparvovirus) | No | Stunted growth, cerebellar hypoplasia | Fecal-oral, direct contact (rats) |
| Kilifi mosquito virus | Flaviviridae (Flavivirus) | No | None documented in humans | Mosquito bite |
| Kimberley virus | Rhabdoviridae (Ephemerovirus) | No | None documented in humans | Mosquito bite |
| Kindia tick virus | Flaviviridae (Flavivirus) | No | None documented in humans | Tick bite |
| Kindia virus | Flaviviridae (Flavivirus) | No | None documented in humans | Mosquito bite |
| Klamath virus | Peribunyaviridae (Orthobunyavirus) | No | None documented in humans | Tick bite |
| Kniphofia chlorotic streak virus | Potyviridae (Potyvirus) | No | Chlorotic streaking, stunted growth | Aphid transmission, mechanical |
| Knuckle grass chlorotic mottle virus | Tombusviridae (Tombusvirus) | No | Chlorotic mottle | Mechanical transmission |
| Kobus kob kobavirus A | Picornaviridae (Kobuvirus) | No | Gastrointestinal symptoms | Fecal-oral (kob antelopes) |
| Kokobera virus | Flaviviridae (Flavivirus) | Yes | Fever, headache, rash, muscle aches | Mosquito bite |
| Kolente virus | Phenuiviridae (Phlebovirus) | No | None documented in humans | Sandfly bite |
| Konjac mosaic virus | Potyviridae (Potyvirus) | No | Mosaic patterns, leaf distortion | Aphid transmission, mechanical |
| Koongol virus | Peribunyaviridae (Orthobunyavirus) | No | None documented in humans | Mosquito bite |
| Koolpinyah virus | Rhabdoviridae (Ephemerovirus) | No | None documented in humans | Mosquito bite |
| Korean chrysanthemum-associated virus | Alphaflexiviridae (Potexvirus) | No | Chlorotic spots, stunted growth | Mechanical transmission, sap |
| Korean raspberry bushy dwarf virus | Idaeoviridae (Idaeovirus) | No | Bushy dwarf, leaf yellowing | Pollen transmission, mechanical |
| Kotonkan lyssavirus | Rhabdoviridae (Lyssavirus) | Yes | Rabies-like symptoms: encephalitis, paralysis | Bite of infected animal (e.g., bat) |
| Koumbia virus | Peribunyaviridae (Orthobunyavirus) | No | None documented in humans | Mosquito bite |
| Koutango virus | Flaviviridae (Flavivirus) | No | None documented in humans | Mosquito bite |
| Kowanyama virus | Reoviridae (Orbivirus) | No | None documented in humans | Mosquito bite |
| Kumlinge virus | Flaviviridae (Flavivirus) | Yes | Fever, headache, meningitis, encephalitis | Tick bite |
| Kunjin virus | Flaviviridae (Flavivirus) | Yes | Fever, headache, myalgia, neurological | Mosquito bite |
| Kununurra virus | Flaviviridae (Flavivirus) | No | None documented in humans | Mosquito bite |
| Kwantako virus | Peribunyaviridae (Orthobunyavirus) | No | None documented in humans | Mosquito bite |
| Kyasanur Forest disease virus | Flaviviridae (Flavivirus) | Yes | Fever, headache, hemorrhage, neurological | Tick bite |
| Kyzylagach virus | Peribunyaviridae (Orthobunyavirus) | No | None documented in humans | Tick bite |
Descriptions
Kadam virus
The Kadam virus is an arbovirus first isolated in Uganda. It is transmitted by mosquitoes and can cause flu-like symptoms, including fever, headache, and muscle aches, in infected humans. It is primarily found in Africa.
Kadipiro virus
Kadipiro virus is a flavivirus isolated from ticks, often associated with birds. While it infects ticks and birds, there is currently no clear evidence of it causing disease in humans. Its ecological role is still under investigation.
Kaeng Khoi virus
Kaeng Khoi virus is a phlebovirus first identified in Thailand, isolated from mosquitoes. Research suggests it circulates in natural cycles involving mosquitoes, but its impact on human health remains largely unconfirmed or limited.
Kaili virus
Kaili virus is a flavivirus discovered in Indonesia, isolated from mosquitoes. It is an arbovirus with limited information regarding its direct impact on human health, though it circulates in mosquito populations.
Kaincope virus
Kaincope virus is a flavivirus originally found in West Africa, primarily isolated from mosquitoes. While part of the arbovirus family, documented human disease associated with this specific virus is not widely reported.
Kalanchoe latent virus
A plant virus belonging to the Tobamovirus genus, Kalanchoe latent virus infects Kalanchoe plants. It can cause subtle symptoms like chlorotic spots and stunted growth, but often remains asymptomatic, hence “latent.”
Kalanchoe top-spotting virus
This virus affects Kalanchoe plants, causing characteristic top-spotting and distortion of leaves. Its classification is currently unassigned, indicating ongoing research into its genetic makeup and family relationships within plant viruses.
Kama virus
Kama virus is an orthonairovirus identified in Central Asia, transmitted by ticks. It can cause febrile illness in humans, presenting with symptoms such as fever, headaches, and joint pain, similar to other tick-borne diseases.
Kamese virus
Kamese virus is a phlebovirus identified in Africa, isolated from sandflies. While it is an arbovirus transmitted by insects, there is no strong evidence suggesting it causes significant disease in humans.
Kamimbi virus
Kamimbi virus is a flavivirus isolated from ticks in Africa. It is part of the tick-borne flavivirus group, but its direct link to human disease is not well-established, primarily affecting animal hosts.
Kamiti River virus
Kamiti River virus is an alphavirus first isolated in Kenya, primarily from mosquitoes. Although it is an arbovirus related to others that infect humans, this specific strain has not been clearly linked to human disease.
Kaposi’s sarcoma-associated herpesvirus
Also known as Human Herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8), this virus causes Kaposi’s sarcoma, a cancer of blood vessel cells, primarily in immunocompromised individuals. It can also lead to other lymphoproliferative disorders.
Karasu virus
Karasu virus is an orthonairovirus, identified in Central Asia, transmitted by ticks. It can cause hemorrhagic fever in humans, characterized by sudden onset of fever, muscle pain, and bleeding manifestations.
Karshi virus
Karshi virus is a tick-borne flavivirus found in Central Asia. It has been associated with human infections, potentially causing febrile illness accompanied by headaches and, in some cases, neurological symptoms.
Kashmir bee virus
Kashmir bee virus (KBV) is a widespread pathogen of honey bees, causing paralysis and death. It can be transmitted orally or through direct contact between bees, impacting colony health and beekeeping.
Kasokero virus
Kasokero virus is an orthonairovirus first isolated from ticks in Uganda. It is known to cause febrile illness in humans, presenting with symptoms like fever, headache, and general body aches.
Kedougou virus
Kedougou virus is a flavivirus isolated from mosquitoes in Senegal. While it circulates in natural mosquito populations, there is limited scientific evidence to confirm its direct pathogenicity or significant impact on human health.
Kelp fly virus
Kelp fly virus is an insect virus that infects kelp flies. It belongs to the Picornaviridae family and causes muscle necrosis in its host, potentially impacting the insect’s survival and population dynamics.
Kemerovo virus
Kemerovo virus is an orbivirus, originally isolated in Siberia, transmitted by ticks. It can cause febrile illness in humans, sometimes leading to more severe conditions such as meningitis, affecting the central nervous system.
Kentish belle-associated tombusvirus
This is a plant virus, a tombusvirus associated with the ornamental plant Kentish Belle. It can cause symptoms like stunted growth and discoloration of leaves, affecting the plant’s aesthetic value.
Kenyan anthurium latent virus
A plant virus identified in Kenya, affecting anthurium plants. It often causes a latent infection, meaning no visible symptoms, but can sometimes lead to mild mosaic patterns on leaves, affecting plant health.
Keterah virus
Keterah virus is a phlebovirus first isolated from sandflies in Malaysia. Although it is an arbovirus, research has not definitively linked this specific virus to causing significant disease in human populations.
Ketapang virus
Ketapang virus is a flavivirus isolated from mosquitoes in Indonesia. While it is an arbovirus circulating in tropical regions, its direct involvement in human disease has not been widely established.
Keuraliba virus
Keuraliba virus is a flavivirus isolated from mosquitoes in West Africa. Like many other arboviruses, it circulates in insect populations, but current research indicates no significant documented impact on human health.
Khasan virus
Khasan virus is a tick-borne flavivirus identified in Russia. It is known to cause febrile illness in humans, with symptoms typically including fever, headache, and general fatigue.
Kilham rat virus
Kilham rat virus (KRV) is a parvovirus that primarily infects rats, causing various symptoms like stunted growth and neurological issues, especially in newborn rats. It is a common contaminant in rat colonies.
Kilifi mosquito virus
Kilifi mosquito virus is a flavivirus isolated from mosquitoes in Kenya. It is an arbovirus with limited studies on its human pathogenicity, primarily found circulating within mosquito populations.
Kimberley virus
Kimberley virus is a rhabdovirus identified in Australia, isolated from mosquitoes. While belonging to a family that includes animal and plant pathogens, this specific virus has no well-documented human disease link.
Kindia tick virus
Kindia tick virus is a flavivirus isolated from ticks in Guinea, West Africa. Its ecological role involves ticks, but there is no widely reported evidence of it causing disease in humans.
Kindia virus
Kindia virus is a flavivirus isolated from mosquitoes in Guinea, West Africa. Though sharing a geographical name with Kindia tick virus, it’s distinct. Limited evidence links it to human illness.
Klamath virus
Klamath virus is an orthobunyavirus isolated from ticks in the Western United States. While it infects animals and ticks, there’s no widespread documentation of it causing disease in human populations.
Kniphofia chlorotic streak virus
A plant virus affecting Kniphofia (Red Hot Poker) plants, causing characteristic chlorotic streaking on leaves and sometimes stunted growth. It is typically transmitted by aphids and mechanical means.
Knuckle grass chlorotic mottle virus
This is a plant virus, a tombusvirus that infects Knuckle grass. It causes a distinct chlorotic mottle pattern on the leaves, impacting the plant’s appearance and potentially its growth.
Kobus kob kobavirus A
Kobus kob kobavirus A is a kobuvirus, primarily found in Kob antelopes. It is associated with gastrointestinal symptoms in its animal hosts, and there is no evidence of human infection.
Kokobera virus
Kokobera virus is an arbovirus found in Australia, transmitted by mosquitoes. It can cause a mild febrile illness in humans, characterized by fever, headache, rash, and muscle aches.
Kolente virus
Kolente virus is a phlebovirus isolated from sandflies in West Africa. While it is an arbovirus circulating in insect populations, there is no significant evidence of its pathogenicity in humans.
Konjac mosaic virus
A plant virus infecting Konjac plants. It causes mosaic patterns on leaves, yellowing, and can lead to leaf distortion and stunted growth, affecting crop yield. It’s often transmitted by aphids.
Koongol virus
Koongol virus is an orthobunyavirus isolated from mosquitoes in Australia. While it circulates in natural ecosystems involving mosquitoes, there’s no clear evidence of it causing illness in humans.
Koolpinyah virus
Koolpinyah virus is a rhabdovirus discovered in Australia, isolated from mosquitoes. While belonging to a family with animal pathogens, this specific virus has no established link to human disease.
Korean chrysanthemum-associated virus
A plant virus affecting chrysanthemums in Korea. It can cause chlorotic spots and stunted growth, impacting the ornamental value of the flowers. It is transmitted mechanically and through plant sap.
Korean raspberry bushy dwarf virus
A plant virus impacting raspberry plants in Korea. It causes a “bushy dwarf” appearance, stunted growth, and leaf yellowing, significantly affecting fruit yield. It is often transmitted by pollen.
Kotonkan lyssavirus
Kotonkan lyssavirus is a bat-borne lyssavirus, related to the rabies virus, identified in Africa. It can cause severe neurological disease in mammals, including humans, with symptoms similar to rabies, often fatal.
Koumbia virus
Koumbia virus is an orthobunyavirus isolated from mosquitoes in Burkina Faso. While it is an arbovirus, there is no significant evidence of its direct pathogenicity or widespread impact on human health.
Koutango virus
Koutango virus is a flavivirus isolated from mosquitoes in West Africa. Similar to many arboviruses, it circulates in insect populations, but there is no widely documented association with human disease.
Kowanyama virus
Kowanyama virus is an orbivirus discovered in Australia, isolated from mosquitoes. It is primarily found in animal hosts and there is no significant evidence of it causing disease in humans.
Kumlinge virus
Kumlinge virus is a tick-borne flavivirus, a subtype of Tick-borne encephalitis virus, found in Northern Europe. It causes febrile illness, and can lead to severe neurological conditions like meningitis and encephalitis.
Kunjin virus
Kunjin virus is a subtype of West Nile virus, found in Australia, transmitted by mosquitoes. It typically causes a milder febrile illness than WNV, but can sometimes lead to neurological symptoms like encephalitis.
Kununurra virus
Kununurra virus is a flavivirus isolated from mosquitoes in Australia. It’s an arbovirus, but there is limited information on its direct effects on human health, primarily circulating in local ecosystems.
Kwantako virus
Kwantako virus is an orthobunyavirus isolated from mosquitoes in Nigeria. While it is an arbovirus, research has not definitively linked this specific virus to causing significant disease in human populations.
Kyasanur Forest disease virus
Kyasanur Forest disease virus (KFDV) is a tick-borne flavivirus endemic to India. It causes Kyasanur Forest disease, a severe hemorrhagic fever in humans, often with neurological manifestations and a high fatality rate.
Kyzylagach virus
Kyzylagach virus is an orthobunyavirus isolated from ticks in Central Asia. Primarily found in animal and tick populations, there is no significant documented evidence of it causing disease in humans.