Viruses that start with the letter M cover a wide range of types, hosts, and effects, with 51 scientifically recognized viruses included in this comprehensive list. These viruses range from those that cause serious diseases in humans, like MERS-CoV and Marburg virus, to viruses that only infect plants, animals, or even single-celled organisms. Many originate from animal hosts such as rodents, mosquitoes, or bats, highlighting the complex connections between animals and human health worldwide.
Below is the complete table of viruses beginning with M, organized to help you quickly understand key facts about each one.
Virus Name This column lists the official name of each virus, helping you identify and distinguish between them.
Classification Shows the virus family or genus, giving insight into the virus’s scientific group and related viruses.
Affects Humans? Indicates whether the virus infects humans, which is crucial for understanding its medical significance.
Symptoms Describes common signs and illnesses caused by the virus, summarizing the health impact it may have.
Transmission Method Explains how the virus spreads, such as through mosquitoes, contact with animals, or airborne droplets.
Descripción Provides a brief overview describing the virus’s traits, hosts, and any notable information to understand its importance.
Viruses that start with M
| Viruses | Classification | Affects humans? | Symptoms | Transmission method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Machupo virus | Arenavirus | Yes | Bolivian hemorrhagic fever, fever, bleeding, neurological symptoms | Rodent excretions (urine, feces), direct contact, aerosol |
| Maedi-visna virus | Retrovirus (Lentivirus) | No | Progressive pneumonia, neurological signs (sheep, goats) | Close contact, respiratory secretions (sheep, goats) |
| Maize chlorotic mottle virus | Tombusviridae (Machlomovirus) | No | Chlorotic mottling, leaf necrosis (maize) | Insect vectors (thrips, chrysomelids), mechanical |
| Maize dwarf mosaic virus | Potyviridae (Potyvirus) | No | Mosaic pattern, stunting (maize, sorghum) | Aphids, mechanical |
| Maize rough dwarf virus | Reoviridae (Fijivirus) | No | Stunting, enations, dark leaf color (maize) | Leafhoppers |
| Maize streak virus | Geminiviridae (Mastrevirus) | No | Yellow streaking, stunting (maize) | Leafhoppers |
| Mamavirus | Mimiviridae | No | N/A (infects amoebae) | N/A (replicates in amoebae) |
| Mammarenavirus | Arenaviridae (Genus) | Yes, some species | Fever, headache, hemorrhagic symptoms (e.g., Lassa fever) | Rodent excretions, direct contact |
| Mammalian orthoreovirus | Reoviridae (Orthoreovirus) | Yes, typically mild | Mild respiratory or gastrointestinal symptoms | Respiratory droplets, fecal-oral, direct contact |
| Maporal virus | Arenavirus | Yes | Hemorrhagic fever symptoms, neurological issues | Rodent excretions, direct contact |
| Mapputta virus | Nairoviridae (Orthonairovirus) | Yes | Fever, headache, myalgia | Tick bites |
| Marburg virus | Filoviridae (Marburgvirus) | Yes | Severe hemorrhagic fever, fever, vomiting, diarrhea, bleeding | Direct contact with bodily fluids, infected animals (bats) |
| Marseillevirus | Mimiviridae | No | N/A (infects amoebae) | N/A (replicates in amoebae) |
| Mastadenovirus | Adenoviridae (Genus) | Yes, many species | Common cold, conjunctivitis, gastroenteritis, bronchitis | Respiratory droplets, direct contact, fecal-oral |
| Mayaro virus | Togaviridae (Alphavirus) | Yes | Mayaro fever: fever, severe joint pain (arthralgia) | Mosquito bites (Haemagogus, Aedes) |
| Measles virus | Paramyxoviridae (Morbillivirus) | Yes | High fever, cough, runny nose, rash (Koplik spots) | Airborne (respiratory droplets) |
| Megavirus | Mimiviridae | No | N/A (infects amoebae) | N/A (replicates in amoebae) |
| Melao virus | Flaviviridae (Flavivirus) | Yes | Fever, arthralgia, myalgia | Mosquito bites |
| Melon necrotic spot virus | Tombusviridae (Carmovirus) | No | Necrotic spots, fruit decay (melon, cucumber) | Fungus vector (Olpidium bornovanus), mechanical |
| Menangle virus | Paramyxoviridae (Rubulavirus) | Yes, rarely | Febrile illness, respiratory symptoms | Contact with infected pigs or their excretions |
| Mengo virus | Picornaviridae (Cardiovirus) | Yes, rarely | Mild febrile illness, encephalitis (rare) | Fecal-oral, contact with infected rodents |
| Merkel cell polyomavirus | Polyomaviridae (Polyomavirus) | Yes | Merkel cell carcinoma | Unknown, possibly skin contact |
| MERS-CoV | Coronaviridae (Betacoronavirus) | Yes | Severe acute respiratory illness, fever, cough, shortness of breath | Dromedary camels (zoonotic), human-to-human (close contact) |
| Metapneumovirus | Pneumoviridae (Metapneumovirus) | Yes | Respiratory tract infections, common cold symptoms | Respiratory droplets, direct contact |
| Metavirus | N/A (general term) | No | N/A (infects other viruses or microorganisms) | N/A (various, depending on specific metavirus) |
| Mimivirus | Mimiviridae | No | N/A (infects amoebae) | N/A (replicates in amoebae) |
| Mink enteritis virus | Parvoviridae (Protoparvovirus) | No | Gastroenteritis, lethargy (mink) | Fecal-oral (mink) |
| Minute virus of mice | Parvoviridae (Protoparvovirus) | No | Immunosuppression, cerebellar hypoplasia (mice) | Fecal-oral (mice) |
| Mobala virus | Arenavirus | Yes | Hemorrhagic fever symptoms | Rodent excretions, direct contact |
| Modoc virus | Flaviviridae (Flavivirus) | Yes, rarely | Mild febrile illness | Tick bites |
| Mojují dos Campos virus | Peribunyaviridae (Orthobunyavirus) | Yes | Febrile illness, headache, myalgia | Mosquito bites |
| Mokola virus | Rhabdoviridae (Lyssavirus) | Yes | Rabies-like encephalitis | Bite from infected animals (cats, shrews, dogs) |
| Molluscum contagiosum virus | Poxviridae (Molluscipoxvirus) | Yes | Skin lesions (molluscum contagiosum) | Direct contact, fomites |
| Mpox virus | Poxviridae (Orthopoxvirus) | Yes | Rash, fever, headache, lymphadenopathy | Direct contact with lesions/fluids, respiratory droplets, contaminated materials, animals |
| Morbillivirus | Paramyxoviridae (Genus) | Yes, some species | Fever, rash, respiratory symptoms (e.g., Measles) | Airborne (respiratory droplets) |
| Morogoro virus | Rhabdoviridae (Lyssavirus) | Yes, suspected | Rabies-like encephalitis (suspected) | Bite from infected animals |
| Mosquito densovirus | Densoviridae (Densovirus) | No | Lethargy, reduced longevity, larval mortality (mosquitoes) | Vertical (transovarial), horizontal (oral, contact) (mosquitoes) |
| Mucambo virus | Togaviridae (Alphavirus) | Yes | Febrile illness, arthralgia | Mosquito bites |
| Mumps virus | Paramyxoviridae (Orthorubulavirus) | Yes | Swollen salivary glands (parotitis), fever, headache | Airborne (respiratory droplets), direct contact |
| Murghab virus | Nairoviridae (Orthonairovirus) | Yes | Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever-like symptoms (suspected) | Tick bites (suspected) |
| Murine cytomegalovirus | Herpesviridae (Cytomegalovirus) | No | Immunosuppression, organ damage (mice) | Direct contact, secretions (mice) |
| Murine encephalomyelitis virus | Picornaviridae (Cardiovirus) | No | Encephalomyelitis, paralysis (mice) | Fecal-oral (mice) |
| Murine hepatitis virus | Coronaviridae (Betacoronavirus) | No | Hepatitis, enteritis, neurological disease (mice) | Fecal-oral, respiratory (mice) |
| Murine leukemia virus | Retroviridae (Gammaretrovirus) | No | Leukemia, lymphoma (mice) | Vertical (from parent to offspring), horizontal (mice) |
| Murine norovirus | Caliciviridae (Norovirus) | No | Gastroenteritis, systemic infection (mice) | Fecal-oral (mice) |
| Murine polyomavirus | Polyomaviridae (Polyomavirus) | No | Tumors (various), runting (mice) | Respiratory, direct contact (mice) |
| Murray Valley encephalitis virus | Flaviviridae (Flavivirus) | Yes | Encephalitis, fever, headache, confusion | Mosquito bites (Culex annulirostris) |
| Murutucu virus | Peribunyaviridae (Orthobunyavirus) | Yes | Febrile illness, arthralgia, rash | Mosquito bites |
| Mycoreovirus | Reoviridae (Mycoreovirus) | No | Hypovirulence (fungi) | Direct contact, spores (fungi) |
| Myoviridae | Caudovirales (Family of bacteriophages) | No | N/A (infects bacteria) | Adsorption, injection of DNA (infects bacteria) |
| Myxoma virus | Poxviridae (Leporipoxvirus) | No | Myxomatosis (rabbits) | Mosquitoes, fleas, direct contact (rabbits) |
Descriptions
Machupo virus
The Machupo virus is an RNA virus causing Bolivian hemorrhagic fever, a severe and often fatal illness. It is primarily found in rodents in Bolivia and can spread to humans, posing a public health threat.
Maedi-visna virus
Maedi-visna virus is a chronic, progressive retrovirus affecting sheep and goats, causing respiratory and neurological disease. It slowly debilitates infected animals, leading to significant economic losses in livestock.
Maize chlorotic mottle virus
This plant virus primarily infects maize, causing distinct chlorotic mottling and can lead to significant yield reductions. It is a major component of Maize Lethal Necrosis disease.
Maize dwarf mosaic virus
A widespread plant pathogen, Maize dwarf mosaic virus causes stunted growth and a characteristic mosaic pattern on maize and sorghum leaves, impacting agricultural productivity worldwide.
Maize rough dwarf virus
This virus causes severe stunting and abnormal growths on maize plants, leading to substantial yield losses. It is transmitted by specific leafhopper species, making it a significant agricultural concern.
Maize streak virus
Maize streak virus is a devastating plant virus that causes characteristic yellow streaking on maize leaves and severe stunting. It is transmitted by leafhoppers and is a major constraint to maize production in Africa.
Mamavirus
Mamavirus is a giant virus, part of the Mimiviridae family, known for its large genome and complex structure. It primarily infects amoebae and can itself be infected by a virophage.
Mammarenavirus
Mammarenavirus is a genus of RNA viruses, several of which cause severe hemorrhagic fevers in humans, such as Lassa fever and Machupo virus. Rodents are the natural hosts, transmitting the virus to humans.
Mammalian orthoreovirus
Mammalian orthoreoviruses are common RNA viruses that can cause mild, often subclinical, respiratory or gastrointestinal infections in humans. They are also found in various animal species.
Maporal virus
Maporal virus is an Arenavirus that can cause hemorrhagic fever in humans, primarily identified in Venezuela. It is related to other New World arenaviruses, with rodents serving as natural reservoirs.
Mapputta virus
Mapputta virus is a tick-borne virus found in Australia, causing a febrile illness characterized by fever, headache, and muscle aches. It is part of the Nairovirus genus.
Marburg virus
Marburg virus causes a highly lethal hemorrhagic fever in humans and non-human primates. It is closely related to Ebola virus and can spread rapidly through contact with infected individuals or animals.
Marseillevirus
Marseillevirus is another giant virus that infects amoebae. Discovered in cooling towers, it represents the diversity and complexity of giant viruses, although its direct impact on human health is not established.
Mastadenovirus
Mastadenovirus is a widespread genus of DNA viruses, many species of which commonly infect humans, causing a range of mild to severe respiratory, ocular, and gastrointestinal illnesses.
Mayaro virus
Mayaro virus is a mosquito-borne Alphavirus causing Mayaro fever, an illness characterized by sudden onset of fever and debilitating joint pain, particularly in South and Central America.
Measles virus
Measles virus is a highly contagious RNA virus causing measles, a serious childhood infection characterized by a distinctive rash, cough, and fever. Vaccination has significantly reduced its global impact.
Megavirus
Megavirus is a type of giant virus, discovered in marine environments, that infects amoebae. It holds the record for one of the largest viral genomes, challenging traditional definitions of viruses.
Melao virus
Melao virus is a mosquito-borne Flavivirus, primarily found in Brazil, that can cause a febrile illness with symptoms like fever, joint pain, and muscle aches in humans.
Melon necrotic spot virus
This plant virus primarily infects melons and cucumbers, causing necrotic spots and fruit decay, leading to significant crop losses. It is transmitted by a soil-borne fungus.
Menangle virus
Menangle virus is a zoonotic paramyxovirus, first isolated from pigs in Australia, that can cause a febrile and respiratory illness in humans. It highlights the risk of swine-origin viruses.
Mengo virus
Mengo virus is a Cardiovirus primarily found in rodents, but it can occasionally infect humans, causing a mild febrile illness or, rarely, more severe neurological complications like encephalitis.
Merkel cell polyomavirus
Merkel cell polyomavirus is a DNA virus strongly associated with Merkel cell carcinoma, a rare but aggressive form of skin cancer. It is found integrated into the tumor cells in most cases.
MERS-CoV
MERS-CoV is a coronavirus causing Middle East Respiratory Syndrome, a severe respiratory illness. It originated in dromedary camels and can spread to humans, sometimes leading to fatal outcomes.
Metapneumovirus
Metapneumovirus is a common cause of respiratory tract infections in humans, particularly in young children, leading to symptoms similar to the common cold, bronchitis, or even pneumonia.
Metavirus
Metavirus is a broad term that can refer to viruses that infect other viruses (virophages) or complex viral elements within eukaryotic genomes. They primarily affect microorganisms and other viruses.
Mimivirus
Mimivirus is a giant DNA virus, first mistaken for a bacterium due to its size, that infects amoebae. Its discovery expanded the understanding of viral complexity and diversity.
Mink enteritis virus
Mink enteritis virus is a highly contagious parvovirus that causes severe gastroenteritis in mink, leading to significant economic losses in the fur farming industry. It is related to feline panleukopenia virus.
Minute virus of mice
Minute virus of mice is a parvovirus that primarily infects laboratory mice, causing various diseases including immunosuppression and developmental defects. It is a common contaminant in research settings.
Mobala virus
Mobala virus is an Arenavirus found in Africa, associated with rodents, that can cause hemorrhagic fever in humans. It is less common than Lassa virus but poses a similar public health concern.
Modoc virus
Modoc virus is a Flavivirus primarily found in rodents in western North America. While rarely infecting humans, it can cause a mild, self-limiting febrile illness if transmitted.
Mojují dos Campos virus
Mojují dos Campos virus is an Orthobunyavirus, primarily found in Brazil, that can cause a febrile illness in humans, characterized by fever, headache, and muscle pain, transmitted by mosquitoes.
Mokola virus
Mokola virus is a Lyssavirus, closely related to the rabies virus, that can cause a fatal, rabies-like encephalitis in humans and various mammals. It is primarily found in Africa.
Molluscum contagiosum virus
Molluscum contagiosum virus causes a common skin infection characterized by small, flesh-colored, dome-shaped papules. It is highly contagious and spreads through direct skin-to-skin contact.
Mpox virus
Mpox virus causes Mpox, a viral disease with symptoms similar to smallpox, but milder. It is zoonotic, primarily circulating in rodents and primates in Africa, but can spread globally via human-to-human contact.
Morbillivirus
Morbillivirus is a genus of RNA viruses, notably including the measles virus, known for causing highly contagious infections with fever, rash, and respiratory symptoms, primarily affecting humans and some animals.
Morogoro virus
Morogoro virus is a Lyssavirus found in Africa, related to rabies virus. While primarily isolated from bats, it is considered a potential cause of rabies-like illness in humans, although human cases are rare or unconfirmed.
Mosquito densovirus
Mosquito densovirus is a DNA virus that infects mosquitoes, causing lethargy, reduced lifespan, and increased larval mortality. It is being researched for its potential as a mosquito control agent.
Mucambo virus
Mucambo virus is an Alphavirus, transmitted by mosquitoes, that causes a febrile illness with joint pain in humans, primarily found in tropical regions of South America.
Mumps virus
Mumps virus causes mumps, a contagious disease characterized by swollen, painful salivary glands, fever, and headache. It can lead to complications like orchitis or meningitis, but is preventable by vaccination.
Murghab virus
Murghab virus is an Orthonairovirus, related to Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus, primarily found in Central Asia. Its full pathogenic potential in humans is still under investigation, but it is suspected to cause hemorrhagic fever.
Murine cytomegalovirus
Murine cytomegalovirus is a common Herpesvirus infecting mice, used extensively as a model for human cytomegalovirus research. It causes persistent infections and can lead to various pathologies in mice.
Murine encephalomyelitis virus
Murine encephalomyelitis virus, also known as Theiler’s Murine Encephalomyelitis Virus, causes neurological disease in mice, ranging from acute encephalitis to chronic demyelination.
Murine hepatitis virus
Murine hepatitis virus is a common coronavirus that infects mice, causing a range of diseases including hepatitis, enteritis, and neurological disorders, making it a critical concern in mouse colonies.
Murine leukemia virus
Murine leukemia virus is a retrovirus that causes leukemia and lymphoma in mice. It has been widely studied as a model for retroviral replication and oncogenesis.
Murine norovirus
Murine norovirus is a common virus infecting laboratory mice, causing both symptomatic gastroenteritis and asymptomatic persistent infections. It is a critical model for human norovirus research.
Murine polyomavirus
Murine polyomavirus is a DNA virus that causes various tumors and runting syndrome in mice. It has been extensively studied as a model for viral oncogenesis.
Murray Valley encephalitis virus
Murray Valley encephalitis virus is a mosquito-borne Flavivirus causing Murray Valley encephalitis, a severe neurological disease, primarily in Australia and Papua New Guinea.
Murutucu virus
Murutucu virus is an Orthobunyavirus found in South America that can cause a febrile illness in humans, characterized by fever, joint pain, and a rash, transmitted by mosquitoes.
Mycoreovirus
Mycoreovirus is a Reovirus that infects fungi. It can cause hypovirulence, meaning it reduces the ability of a fungal pathogen to cause disease in its host, making it relevant for biocontrol.
Myoviridae
Myoviridae is a family of bacteriophages, viruses that specifically infect and replicate within bacteria. They are characterized by their complex structure, including a contractile tail, and play a crucial role in microbial ecosystems.
Myxoma virus
Myxoma virus causes myxomatosis, a severe and often fatal disease in rabbits. It was intentionally introduced in Australia and Europe to control rabbit populations, impacting ecological balance.