There are 46 scientifically recognized viruses that start with the letter “N,” covering a wide range of hosts and effects around the world. These viruses include those that affect humans, animals, plants, fungi, and insects. Many are transmitted by insects or ticks, showing a strong connection to arthropod vectors. Some cause serious diseases like hemorrhagic fever and encephalitis, while others affect agriculture or aquaculture. This list highlights the diversity and global impact of viruses beginning with “N.”
Below is the complete table listing these viruses, organized for easy reference.
Virus Name Identify the virus by its common or scientific name to distinguish it clearly.
Family or Classification Shows the virus’s taxonomic group, such as genus, family, or order. This helps understand its related viruses and characteristics.
Primary Hosts Notes the main organisms the virus infects, whether humans, animals, plants, fungi, or insects.
Associated Illness/Symptoms Describes the signs or illnesses caused by the virus, giving insight into its health impact.
Transmission Method Explains how the virus spreads from host to host, including vectors like mosquitoes, ticks, or direct contact.
Descripción Provides a brief summary of the virus’s significance, host range, geographic presence, or special traits.
Viruses that start with N
| Virus | Classification | Affects Humans? | Symptoms | Transmission Method | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nairobi Sheep Disease Virus | Nairovirus (Genus) | No | Hemorrhagic fever, severe gastroenteritis, high mortality (in sheep) | Tick-borne (Rhipicephalus appendiculatus) | A highly pathogenic tick-borne virus primarily affecting sheep and goats in Africa. It causes a severe hemorrhagic fever with high mortality rates, leading to significant economic losses in livestock farming. |
| Nairoviridae | Virus Family (Order Bunyavirales) | Yes (contains human-pathogenic species) | Varies by species; includes hemorrhagic fevers (e.g., CCHF). | Primarily tick-borne; varies by species. | A family of RNA viruses, many of which are tick-borne. It includes the Nairovirus genus, notorious for severe diseases like Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever (CCHF) in humans, and Nairobi sheep disease in animals. |
| Nairovirus | Virus Genus (Family Nairoviridae) | Yes (contains human-pathogenic species) | Varies by species; often hemorrhagic fever, encephalitis. | Tick-borne or by direct contact with infected animals. | A genus within the Nairoviridae family, encompassing several tick-borne viruses. Notable members cause serious diseases such as Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever in humans and Nairobi sheep disease in livestock. |
| Nam Dinh Virus | Flavivirus (Genus) | Unknown/No direct evidence | Not well characterized; found in mosquitoes. | Mosquito-borne | A newly identified flavivirus found in mosquitoes in Vietnam. Its ability to infect humans or cause disease is currently unknown, highlighting the ongoing discovery of new viruses in diverse environments. |
| Nanhypovirus | Virus Genus (Family Hypoviridae) | No | Not applicable; infects fungi. | Fungal spores, hyphal anastomosis. | A genus of RNA viruses known to infect fungi. These viruses can alter the virulence of their fungal hosts, which is of interest for biological control, particularly in plant pathology. |
| Nanovirus | Virus Genus (Family Nanoviridae) | No | Not applicable; infects plants. | Aphid-borne | A genus of single-stranded DNA viruses that primarily infect plants, causing various diseases. They are notable for their small, multipartite genomes and are transmitted by aphid vectors, impacting agricultural crops. |
| Naples Sandfly Fever Virus | Phlebovirus (Genus) | Yes | Acute fever, headache, malaise, muscle pain, gastrointestinal issues. | Sandfly bite (Phlebotomus papatasi) | A common cause of sandfly fever, a self-limiting febrile illness occurring in Mediterranean and Middle Eastern regions. Transmitted by sandflies, it presents with sudden onset of fever and flu-like symptoms. |
| Nariva Virus | Orthopneumovirus (Genus) | Potentially (isolated from humans, bats) | Respiratory illness (in animals); human symptoms unclear. | Respiratory droplets (likely), direct contact (animals) | An orthopneumovirus originally isolated from rodents and bats. While primarily known to infect animals, it has been detected in human samples, suggesting potential for zoonotic transmission and respiratory illness. |
| Narnaviridae | Virus Family | No | Not applicable; infects fungi and oomycetes. | Intracellular, via fungal spores or hyphae. | A family of non-enveloped RNA viruses that exclusively infect fungi and oomycetes. They lack capsids, meaning their genomic RNA is not protected by a protein shell, a unique characteristic among viruses. |
| Narnavirus | Virus Genus (Family Narnaviridae) | No | Not applicable; infects fungi. | Intracellular, via fungal spores or hyphae. | A genus of non-enveloped RNA viruses found within fungi. These distinct viruses possess minimal genetic material and replicate directly within the host cell cytoplasm without forming a traditional capsid. |
| Navarro Virus | Vesiculovirus (Genus) | Unlikely/Unknown (found in bats) | Unknown; related viruses cause encephalitis. | Unknown; potentially zoonotic (bat-borne). | A novel rhabdovirus discovered in bats in Spain. Its pathogenicity to humans is currently unknown, but its close relation to other encephalitis-causing viruses warrants further investigation into its zoonotic potential. |
| Ndumu Virus | Alphavirus (Genus) | Yes (causes febrile illness) | Fever, headache, muscle pain, rash. | Mosquito-borne | An alphavirus primarily found in sub-Saharan Africa. It can cause a self-limiting febrile illness in humans, characterized by fever, headache, and muscle aches, transmitted via mosquito bites. |
| Negevirus | Virus Genus (Family Togaviridae, provisionally) | Unknown/Potentially | Not well characterized; found in arthropods. | Arthropod-borne (mosquitoes, ticks) | A newly recognized genus of RNA viruses identified in various arthropods, particularly mosquitoes. Their potential to infect or cause disease in humans or other vertebrates is still under investigation, representing an emerging area of virology. |
| Nelorpivirus | Virus Genus (Family Sedoreoviridae) | No | Not applicable; infects insects. | Not directly applicable; found in insect vectors. | A recently established genus of dsRNA viruses discovered in insects, including mosquitoes and sandflies. Its impact on insect hosts and potential for vertebrate infection are still being studied. |
| Nelson Bay Virus | Orbivirus (Genus) | Yes (mild febrile illness) | Fever, headache, muscle aches. | Arthropod-borne (culicoides midges suspected) | An orbivirus first identified in Australia, found to cause a mild febrile illness in humans. It is suspected to be transmitted by arthropod vectors, likely biting midges, contributing to undiagnosed fevers in endemic areas. |
| Neopoxvirus | Virus Genus (Family Poxviridae) | No (animal-specific) | Skin lesions (pustules, nodules) in various animals. | Direct contact; potentially aerosols. | A genus of DNA viruses belonging to the Poxviridae family. These viruses are known to cause characteristic skin lesions in a variety of animal hosts, but they are not currently recognized as human pathogens. |
| Nepovirus | Virus Genus (Family Secoviridae) | No | Not applicable; infects plants. | Nematode-borne, seed-borne, pollen-borne. | A genus of plant viruses known for their wide host range and ability to cause significant damage to crops. They are primarily transmitted by soil-dwelling nematodes, leading to economic losses in agriculture worldwide. |
| New Minto Virus | Orthobunyavirus (Genus) | Unknown (found in mosquitoes) | Unknown | Mosquito-borne | A novel orthobunyavirus identified in mosquitoes in Australia. While its pathogenicity to humans remains unclear, its discovery highlights the biodiversity of arboviruses and the need for continued surveillance. |
| Newcastle Disease Virus | Orthoavulavirus (Genus) | Yes (mild conjunctivitis, flu-like) | Respiratory distress, nervous signs, diarrhea (in birds); conjunctivitis (humans). | Direct contact, aerosols, contaminated equipment. | A highly contagious virus primarily affecting birds, causing a severe respiratory and neurological disease. In humans, exposure can lead to mild, self-limiting conjunctivitis or flu-like symptoms, especially in poultry workers. |
| Nhumirim Virus | Orthobunyavirus (Genus) | Yes (causes febrile illness) | Fever, headache, muscle pain. | Mosquito-borne | An orthobunyavirus identified in South America, known to cause a febrile illness in humans. It is transmitted by mosquitoes, contributing to the burden of arboviral diseases in endemic regions. |
| Nidovirales | Virus Order | Yes (contains human-pathogenic species) | Varies widely; includes respiratory, gastrointestinal, systemic. | Varies widely (respiratory, fecal-oral, vector-borne). | A large and diverse order of RNA viruses, notable for their extremely large RNA genomes among RNA viruses. It includes economically important viruses, such as coronaviruses and arteriviruses, affecting humans and animals. |
| Nienokoue Virus | Flavivirus (Genus) | Unknown/Unlikely (found in rodents) | Unknown; found in rodents. | Unknown; likely rodent-associated. | A novel flavivirus discovered in rodents in Côte d’Ivoire. Its potential to infect humans or cause disease is currently unknown, emphasizing the diversity of viruses circulating in wildlife populations. |
| Nimaviridae | Virus Family | No | Not applicable; infects shrimp. | Water-borne (aquatic environments). | A family of large DNA viruses that specifically infect marine shrimp, causing significant mortality and economic losses in aquaculture. White Spot Syndrome Virus (WSSV) is a notorious member, devastating shrimp farms globally. |
| Nimavirus | Virus Genus (Family Nimaviridae) | No | Not applicable; infects shrimp. | Water-borne. | A genus of large DNA viruses that specifically target and cause fatal infections in crustaceans, particularly shrimp. White Spot Syndrome Virus (WSSV), a member, is a major threat to global shrimp aquaculture. |
| Niokolo-Koba Virus | Phenuivirus (Genus) | Unknown (isolated from ticks) | Unknown | Tick-borne | A novel phenuivirus discovered in ticks in Senegal. Its ability to infect humans or cause disease is yet unknown, but its tick-borne nature suggests a potential for zoonotic transmission in the future. |
| Nipah Henipavirus | Henipavirus (Genus) | Yes (severe encephalitis) | Encephalitis, fever, headache, respiratory illness, seizures, coma. | Direct contact with infected animals (pigs, bats), contaminated food (fruit), human-to-human. | A highly pathogenic zoonotic virus causing severe encephalitis and respiratory illness in humans, with high fatality rates. It is primarily transmitted from fruit bats, often via pigs, or through contaminated food and human-to-human contact. |
| Nipah Virus | Henipavirus (Genus) | Yes (severe encephalitis) | Encephalitis, fever, headache, respiratory illness, seizures, coma. | Direct contact with infected animals (pigs, bats), contaminated food (fruit), human-to-human. | A deadly zoonotic virus primarily transmitted from fruit bats to humans, often via intermediate hosts like pigs. It causes severe encephalitis and respiratory problems, with a significant fatality rate, posing a public health concern. |
| Nodaviridae | Virus Family | No | Not applicable; infects insects, fish. | Oral, direct contact (aquatic environments). | A family of non-enveloped RNA viruses known to infect insects and fish. Some members, like Nervous Necrosis Virus, cause significant diseases in aquaculture, leading to high mortality rates in fish larvae and juveniles. |
| Nodavirus | Virus Genus (Family Nodaviridae) | No | Not applicable; infects insects, fish. | Oral, direct contact (aquatic environments). | A genus of RNA viruses primarily affecting insects and fish. Members include the Nervous Necrosis Virus, a significant pathogen in aquaculture, causing neurological damage and high mortality in farmed fish. |
| Nola Virus | Rhabdoviridae (Family, unclassified) | Unknown (found in ticks) | Unknown | Tick-borne | A novel rhabdovirus identified in ticks in Spain. Its potential to infect humans or cause disease is currently unknown, but its discovery from ticks suggests a possible arboviral nature warranting further study. |
| Northway Virus | Orthobunyavirus (Genus) | Yes (febrile illness) | Fever, chills, headache, muscle pain, rash. | Mosquito-borne | An orthobunyavirus found in North America, known to cause a mild febrile illness in humans. It is transmitted by mosquitoes, contributing to the range of arboviral diseases in affected regions. |
| Norovirus | Norovirus (Genus) | Yes (acute gastroenteritis) | Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal cramps, low-grade fever. | Fecal-oral, contaminated food/water, direct contact. | A highly contagious group of viruses causing acute gastroenteritis, commonly known as “stomach flu.” It spreads rapidly, often in crowded settings, through contaminated food, water, or person-to-person contact, causing widespread outbreaks. |
| Norwalk Virus | Norovirus (Genus) | Yes (acute gastroenteritis) | Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal cramps. | Fecal-oral, contaminated food/water, direct contact. | The original strain of norovirus, first identified after an outbreak in Norwalk, Ohio. It causes acute gastroenteritis with symptoms like vomiting and diarrhea, spreading rapidly through contaminated sources or person-to-person contact. |
| Norway Rat Parvovirus | Protoparvovirus (Genus) | No | Not applicable; infects rodents (asymptomatic to mild). | Fecal-oral (rodent populations). | A parvovirus primarily found in Norway rats, typically causing asymptomatic or mild infections in its rodent hosts. It is not known to infect humans or cause any disease in them. |
| Novivirus | Virus Genus (Family Rhabdoviridae) | No | Not applicable; infects fish. | Water-borne (aquatic environments). | A genus of RNA viruses that infect fish, notably including Viral Hemorrhagic Septicemia Virus (VHSV), a significant pathogen in aquaculture. It causes severe systemic disease in various fish species. |
| Nse Virus | Unclassified Rhabdoviridae | Unknown (found in insects) | Unknown | Unknown; found in insect vectors. | A recently discovered virus from insects, currently unclassified within the Rhabdoviridae family. Its potential to infect humans or cause disease in any host remains to be determined. |
| Ntaya Virus | Flavivirus (Genus) | Yes (mild fever, potential encephalitis) | Fever, headache, muscle pain, rarely encephalitis. | Mosquito-borne (Culex, Mansonia) | A mosquito-borne flavivirus circulating in Africa and Asia. It typically causes a mild febrile illness in humans, though rare cases of more severe neurological complications like encephalitis have been reported. |
| Nterevirus | Virus Genus (Family Picornaviridae) | No | Not applicable; infects fish. | Water-borne (aquatic environments). | A genus of RNA viruses primarily found in fish, belonging to the Picornaviridae family. These viruses can cause various diseases in fish, impacting aquatic ecosystems and aquaculture. |
| Nugget Virus | Alphanodavirus (Genus) | No | Not applicable; infects insects. | Oral, direct contact (insect populations). | An alphanodavirus that infects insects, specifically the larvae of Costelytra zealandica (grass grub). It is a persistent infection in its host and is not known to cause disease in humans. |
| Nyamanini Virus | Orthobunyavirus (Genus) | Unknown (found in mosquitoes) | Unknown | Mosquito-borne | An orthobunyavirus identified in mosquitoes in Africa. Its potential to infect humans or cause disease is currently unknown, emphasizing the ongoing discovery of diverse arboviruses in tropical regions. |
| Nyamiviridae | Virus Family | Unknown (found in insects/arthropods) | Not directly applicable; found in insects. | Varies by species; likely arthropod-borne. | A newly established family of RNA viruses primarily found in arthropods and insects. Their impact on human or animal health is largely unknown, representing a frontier in virological research. |
| Nyamivirus | Virus Genus (Family Nyamiviridae) | Unknown (found in insects/arthropods) | Not directly applicable; found in insects. | Varies by species; likely arthropod-borne. | A genus of RNA viruses found in arthropods, particularly mosquitoes, belonging to the recently established Nyamiviridae family. Their specific role in disease and potential for human infection are still under investigation. |
| Nyamuzure Virus | Orthobunyavirus (Genus) | Unknown (found in mosquitoes) | Unknown | Mosquito-borne | An orthobunyavirus identified in mosquitoes in Africa. Its potential to infect humans or cause disease is currently unknown, highlighting the vast array of arboviruses circulating in various ecosystems. |
| Nyando Virus | Orthobunyavirus (Genus) | Yes (febrile illness) | Fever, headache, muscle pain. | Mosquito-borne | An orthobunyavirus circulating in Africa, known to cause a self-limiting febrile illness in humans. It is transmitted by mosquitoes, contributing to the spectrum of arboviral infections in endemic areas. |
| Nyavirus | Virus Genus (Family Orthomyxoviridae) | No (infects ticks) | Not directly applicable; infects ticks. | Tick-borne (within tick populations). | A genus of RNA viruses primarily found in ticks. These viruses replicate within their arthropod hosts and are not known to cause disease in humans, though they represent an interesting group of tick-borne agents. |
| Nyong-nyong Virus | Alphavirus (Genus) | Yes (fever, rash, arthritis) | Fever, rash, arthralgia (joint pain), headache. | Mosquito-borne (Anopheles) | An alphavirus endemic to East Africa, causing a febrile illness characterized by rash, headache, and severe joint pain, resembling chikungunya fever. It is transmitted to humans by Anopheles mosquitoes. |
Descriptions
Nairobi Sheep Disease Virus
Nairoviridae
Nairovirus
Nam Dinh Virus
Nanhypovirus
Nanovirus
Naples Sandfly Fever Virus
Nariva Virus
Narnaviridae
Narnavirus
Navarro Virus
Ndumu Virus
Negevirus
Nelorpivirus
Nelson Bay Virus
Neopoxvirus
Nepovirus
New Minto Virus
Newcastle Disease Virus
Nhumirim Virus
Nidovirales
Nienokoue Virus
Nimaviridae
Nimavirus
Niokolo-Koba Virus
Nipah Henipavirus
Nipah Virus
Nodaviridae
Nodavirus
Nola Virus
Northway Virus
Norovirus
Norwalk Virus
Norway Rat Parvovirus
Novivirus
Nse Virus
Ntaya Virus
Nterevirus
Nugget Virus
Nyamanini Virus
Nyamiviridae
Nyamivirus
Nyamuzure Virus
Nyando Virus
Nyavirus
Nyong-nyong Virus