Discover the complete list of 104 scientifically recognized viruses that start with the letter “R.” These viruses infect a wide range of hosts, including humans, animals, plants, and even fungi. Many are important for their impact on global health, agriculture, and wildlife. Notably, this group includes deadly viruses like Rabies Virus and common human pathogens such as Rhinoviruses, as well as numerous plant viruses that affect crops worldwide.
Explore the detailed table below to understand the diversity and characteristics of these viruses.
Virus Name This column lists the official names of each virus to help you identify them clearly.
Classification Here, find the virus family and genus, along with whether they are DNA or RNA viruses. This helps show their scientific grouping and type.
Primary Hosts This column tells you which organisms the virus mainly infects, such as humans, animals, plants, or fungi.
Associated Illness/Symptoms See the common symptoms or diseases caused by each virus in its hosts. This makes it easier to understand their effects.
Transmission Method Learn how each virus spreads, such as through direct contact, insects, respiratory droplets, or mechanical means.
Descripción A concise description provides more context on each virus’s biology, impact, and relevance.
Viruses that start with R
Virus Name | Classification | Affects Humans? | Symptoms | Transmission Method |
---|---|---|---|---|
Rabbit Fibroma Virus | Poxviridae, Leporipoxvirus (DNA) | No | Benign skin tumors (fibromas) in rabbits | Direct contact |
Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease Virus | Caliciviridae, Lagovirus (RNA) | No | Acute liver necrosis, hemorrhage, sudden death in rabbits | Direct contact, fomites, vectors |
Rabbit Papillomavirus | Papillomaviridae, Kappapapillomavirus (DNA) | No | Warts or horn-like growths on rabbit skin | Direct contact |
Rabies Virus | Rhabdoviridae, Lyssavirus (RNA) | Yes | Fever, headache, progressive paralysis, hydrophobia, fatal encephalitis | Bite of infected animal (saliva) |
Raccoon Polyomavirus | Polyomaviridae, Betapolyomavirus (DNA) | No | Unknown, possibly tumors or kidney disease in raccoons | Unknown, likely fecal-oral |
Rachiplusia ou Multicapsid Nucleopolyhedrovirus | Baculoviridae, Alphabaculovirus (DNA) | No | Lethargy, liquefaction of host tissues in caterpillars | Ingestion of contaminated foliage |
Radish Mosaic Virus | Secoviridae, Comovirus (RNA) | No | Mosaic patterns, mottling, distortion on radish leaves | Mechanical, possibly beetles |
Radish Yellow Edge Virus | Betaflexiviridae, Potexvirus (RNA) | No | Yellowing of leaf edges, stunted growth in radishes | Mechanical, sap |
Ralstonia Phage RsoM1UCD | Myoviridae (Bacteriophage) | No | Lysis of Ralstonia solanacearum bacteria | Environmental |
Ranid Alphaherpesvirus 1 | Herpesviridae, Ranidherpesvirus (DNA) | No | Skin lesions, organ necrosis, mortality in frogs | Waterborne, direct contact |
Ranid Alphaherpesvirus 2 | Herpesviridae, Ranidherpesvirus (DNA) | No | Skin lesions, organ necrosis, mortality in frogs | Waterborne, direct contact |
Ranid Alphaherpesvirus 3 | Herpesviridae, Ranidherpesvirus (DNA) | No | Skin lesions, organ necrosis, mortality in frogs | Waterborne, direct contact |
Ranid Betaherpesvirus 1 | Herpesviridae, Ranidherpesvirus (DNA) | No | Unknown, likely mild or specific symptoms in frogs | Waterborne, direct contact |
Ranid Gammaherpesvirus 1 | Herpesviridae, Ranidherpesvirus (DNA) | No | Unknown, likely mild or specific symptoms in frogs | Waterborne, direct contact |
Raphanus Virus A | Tobamoviridae (RNA) | No | Leaf mottling, stunted growth in radish | Mechanical |
Raspberry Bushy Dwarf Virus | Bromoviridae, Ilarvirus (RNA) | No | Bushy growth, leaf distortion, crumbly fruit in raspberries | Pollen, seeds, mechanical |
Raspberry Leaf Curl Virus | Luteoviridae, Polerovirus (RNA) | No | Severe leaf curling, stunted growth in raspberries | Aphids |
Raspberry Ringspot Virus | Secoviridae, Nepovirus (RNA) | No | Chlorotic ringspots, leaf distortion, reduced yield in raspberries | Nematodes |
Raspberry Vein Chlorosis Virus | Closteroviridae (RNA) | No | Yellowing of veins, leaf chlorosis in raspberries | Aphids |
Rat Coronavirus | Coronaviridae, Betacoronavirus (RNA) | No | Respiratory signs, enteritis, neurological issues in rats | Fecal-oral, respiratory droplets |
Rat Cytomegalovirus | Herpesviridae, Muromegalovirus (DNA) | No | Generally asymptomatic, sometimes enlarged salivary glands in rats | Saliva, urine, direct contact |
Rat Hepacivirus | Flaviviridae, Hepacivirus (RNA) | No | Liver inflammation (hepatitis) in rats | Blood, possibly fecal-oral |
Rat Parvovirus | Parvoviridae, Protoparvovirus (DNA) | No | Diarrhea, stunted growth, immune suppression in rats | Fecal-oral, urine |
Rattus Norvegicus Polyomavirus 1 | Polyomaviridae (DNA) | No | Unknown, potentially tumors or kidney disease in Norway rats | Unknown |
Rattus Pyctoris Polyomavirus 1 | Polyomaviridae (DNA) | No | Unknown, potentially tumors or kidney disease in Himalayan rats | Unknown |
Red Clover Necrotic Mosaic Virus | Tombusviridae, Dianthovirus (RNA) | No | Necrotic spots, mosaic pattern, stunted growth in clover | Mechanical, seed |
Red Clover Vein Mosaic Virus | Potyviridae, Carlavirus (RNA) | No | Vein clearing, mosaic pattern, leaf distortion in clover | Aphids |
Red Seabream Iridovirus | Iridoviridae, Megalocytivirus (DNA) | No | Anemia, splenomegaly, high mortality in Red Seabream fish | Waterborne, direct contact |
Remora-Associated Picorna-like Virus | Picornaviridae (RNA) | No | Unknown, possibly asymptomatic in Remora fish | Unknown (aquatic) |
Reovirus | Reoviridae, Orthoreovirus (RNA) | Yes (mildly) | Mild respiratory illness, mild gastroenteritis, asymptomatic | Respiratory droplets, fecal-oral |
Reptilian Orthoreovirus | Reoviridae, Orthoreovirus (RNA) | No | Respiratory distress, enteritis, neurological signs in reptiles | Direct contact, fecal-oral |
Resistencia Virus | Arenaviridae, Mammarenavirus (RNA) | Yes | Hemorrhagic fever, neurological symptoms (in severe cases) | Rodent excretions (aerosols, direct contact) |
Resolado Virus | Orthomyxoviridae, Thogotovirus (RNA) | No | Unknown in natural hosts, possibly neurological signs | Tick-borne |
Respiratory Syncytial Virus | Pneumoviridae, Orthopneumovirus (RNA) | Yes | Cold-like symptoms, bronchiolitis, pneumonia (especially in infants) | Airborne droplets, direct contact |
Reston Ebolavirus | Filoviridae, Ebolavirus (RNA) | Yes (asymptomatic infection) | Asymptomatic infection in humans; hemorrhagic fever in monkeys | Direct contact with infected animals or their fluids |
Reticuloendotheliosis Virus | Retroviridae, Gammaretrovirus (RNA) | No | Immunosuppression, anemia, tumors in birds | Vertical (egg), direct contact |
Rhesus Macaque Polyomavirus 1 | Polyomaviridae, Betapolyomavirus (DNA) | No | Kidney disease, potentially tumors in Rhesus macaques | Unknown, possibly urine or respiratory secretions |
Rhesus Monkey Rhadinovirus | Herpesviridae, Lymphocryptovirus (DNA) | No | Lymphoma, immunosuppression in Rhesus macaques | Direct contact |
Rhinolophus Affinis Picornavirus | Picornaviridae (RNA) | No | Unknown, likely asymptomatic in bats | Unknown (bat-related) |
Rhinolophus Ferrumequinum Hantavirus | Hantaviridae, Orthohantavirus (RNA) | No | Unknown, likely asymptomatic in bats | Unknown (bat-related) |
Rhinolophus Sinicus Betacoronavirus | Coronaviridae, Betacoronavirus (RNA) | No | Unknown, likely asymptomatic in bats (related to SARS) | Unknown (bat-related) |
Rhinovirus A | Picornaviridae, Enterovirus (RNA) | Yes | Common cold symptoms (runny nose, sore throat, sneezing) | Airborne droplets, direct contact |
Rhinovirus B | Picornaviridae, Enterovirus (RNA) | Yes | Common cold symptoms (runny nose, sore throat, sneezing) | Airborne droplets, direct contact |
Rhinovirus C | Picornaviridae, Enterovirus (RNA) | Yes | Common cold symptoms (runny nose, sore throat, sneezing) | Airborne droplets, direct contact |
Rhizidiomyces Virus | Mymonaviridae (Mycovirus, RNA) | No | Unknown, likely affects fungal growth or pathogenicity | Fungal transmission (spores, hyphae) |
Rhizobium Phage 16-3 | Siphoviridae (Bacteriophage) | No | Lysis of Rhizobium bacteria | Environmental |
Rhizoctonia Solani Mitovirus 1 | Narnaviridae (Mycovirus, RNA) | No | Unknown, likely affects fungal growth or pathogenicity | Fungal transmission (spores, hyphae) |
Rhizoctonia Solani Virus 717 | Partitiviridae (Mycovirus, RNA) | No | Unknown, likely affects fungal growth or pathogenicity | Fungal transmission (spores, hyphae) |
Rhodococcus Phage RGL3 | Myoviridae (Bacteriophage) | No | Lysis of Rhodococcus equi bacteria | Environmental |
Rhopalosiphum Padi Virus | Iflaviridae, Iflavirus (RNA) | No | Reduced longevity, fecundity, increased mortality in aphids | Vertical (transovarial), direct contact |
Ribgrass Mosaic Virus | Virgaviridae, Tobamovirus (RNA) | No | Mosaic pattern, mottling, stunting in plants (e.g., Plantago major) | Mechanical |
Rice Black-Streaked Dwarf Virus | Reoviridae, Fijivirus (RNA) | No | Dwarfism, dark streaks, galls on rice plants | Planthoppers |
Rice Dwarf Virus | Reoviridae, Phytoreovirus (RNA) | No | Dwarfism, yellowing, leaf twisting in rice plants | Leafhoppers |
Rice Gall Dwarf Virus | Reoviridae, Oryzavirus (RNA) | No | Dwarfism, galls, vein swelling in rice plants | Leafhoppers |
Rice Grassy Stunt Virus | Genomoviridae (DNA, unclassified) | No | Stunted growth, grassy appearance, yellowing in rice plants | Brown planthopper |
Rice Hoja Blanca Virus | Phenuiviridae, Tenuivirus (RNA) | No | White or yellow streaks, rolled leaves, stunting in rice plants | Planthoppers |
Rice Necrosis Mosaic Virus | Potyviridae, Macluravirus (RNA) | No | Necrotic streaks, mosaic pattern, stunting in rice plants | Fungus (Olpidium) |
Rice Ragged Stunt Virus | Reoviridae, Oryzavirus (RNA) | No | Ragged leaves, stunted growth, dark galls in rice plants | Brown planthopper |
Rice Stripe Virus | Phenuiviridae, Tenuivirus (RNA) | No | Yellow or white stripes, stunting, leaf curling in rice plants | Planthoppers |
Rice Transitory Yellowing Virus | Virgaviridae, Cytorhabdovirus (RNA) | No | Temporary yellowing of leaves, stunting in rice plants | Leafhoppers |
Rice Tungro Bacilliform Virus | Caulimoviridae, Tungrovirus (DNA) | No | Stunting, yellow or orange leaves, reduced tillering in rice plants | Leafhoppers |
Rice Tungro Spherical Virus | Secoviridae, Waikavirus (RNA) | No | Stunting, yellow or orange leaves, reduced tillering in rice plants | Leafhoppers |
Rice Yellow Mottle Virus | Tombusviridae, Sobemovirus (RNA) | No | Yellow mottling, stunting, reduced yield in rice plants | Leaf beetles, mechanical |
Rift Valley Fever Phlebovirus | Phenuiviridae, Phlebovirus (RNA) | Yes | Fever, flu-like symptoms, hemorrhagic fever, encephalitis | Mosquitoes, direct contact with infected animal fluids |
Rinderpest Morbillivirus | Paramyxoviridae, Morbillivirus (RNA) | No | Fever, diarrhea, oral lesions, high mortality in cattle (eradicated) | Direct contact, aerosols |
Rio Bravo Virus | Flaviviridae, Flavivirus (RNA) | No | Unknown, likely asymptomatic in bats | Unknown (bat-related) |
Rio Grande Cichlid Virus | Iridoviridae, Ranavirus (DNA) | No | Systemic disease, high mortality in Cichlid fish | Waterborne, direct contact |
Rio Grande Virus | Peribunyaviridae, Orthobunyavirus (RNA) | Yes (potential) | Flu-like symptoms, fever, possibly neurological complications | Rodent excretions (aerosols) |
Rocio Virus | Flaviviridae, Flavivirus (RNA) | Yes | Fever, headache, vomiting, encephalitis, severe neurological damage | Mosquitoes |
Rock Bream Iridovirus | Iridoviridae, Megalocytivirus (DNA) | No | Anemia, splenomegaly, high mortality in Rock Bream fish | Waterborne, direct contact |
Rock Creek Virus | Togaviridae, Alphavirus (RNA) | No | Unknown, likely asymptomatic in birds and mosquitoes | Mosquito-borne |
Rodent Torque Teno Virus | Anelloviridae, Alphatorquevirus (DNA) | No | Unknown, likely asymptomatic in rodents | Unknown |
Rodriguez Virus | Togaviridae, Alphavirus (RNA) | No | Unknown, likely asymptomatic in rodents and mosquitoes | Mosquito-borne |
Rosellinia Necatrix Partitivirus 2 | Partitiviridae (Mycovirus, RNA) | No | Unknown, likely affects fungal growth or pathogenicity | Fungal transmission (hyphae) |
Rosellinia Necatrix Victorivirus 1 | Totiviridae (Mycovirus, RNA) | No | Unknown, likely affects fungal growth or pathogenicity | Fungal transmission (hyphae) |
Rose Spring Dwarf-Associated Virus | Luteoviridae (RNA) | No | Stunted growth, distorted leaves, reduced flowering in roses | Aphids |
Ross River Virus | Togaviridae, Alphavirus (RNA) | Yes | Arthritis (joint pain), rash, fever, fatigue | Mosquitoes |
Rosy Barb Polyomavirus | Polyomaviridae (DNA) | No | Unknown, likely asymptomatic in Rosy barb fish | Unknown |
Rotavirus A | Reoviridae, Rotavirus (RNA) | Yes | Severe watery diarrhea, vomiting, fever, abdominal pain | Fecal-oral |
Rotavirus B | Reoviridae, Rotavirus (RNA) | Yes | Severe watery diarrhea, vomiting, fever, abdominal pain | Fecal-oral |
Rotavirus C | Reoviridae, Rotavirus (RNA) | Yes | Severe watery diarrhea, vomiting, fever, abdominal pain | Fecal-oral |
Rotavirus D | Reoviridae, Rotavirus (RNA) | Yes | Severe watery diarrhea, vomiting, fever, abdominal pain | Fecal-oral |
Rotavirus F | Reoviridae, Rotavirus (RNA) | Yes | Severe watery diarrhea, vomiting, fever, abdominal pain | Fecal-oral |
Rotavirus G | Reoviridae, Rotavirus (RNA) | Yes | Severe watery diarrhea, vomiting, fever, abdominal pain | Fecal-oral |
Rotavirus H | Reoviridae, Rotavirus (RNA) | Yes | Severe watery diarrhea, vomiting, fever, abdominal pain | Fecal-oral |
Rotavirus I | Reoviridae, Rotavirus (RNA) | Yes | Severe watery diarrhea, vomiting, fever, abdominal pain | Fecal-oral |
Rotavirus J | Reoviridae, Rotavirus (RNA) | Yes | Severe watery diarrhea, vomiting, fever, abdominal pain | Fecal-oral |
Roughtail Stingray Picornavirus | Picornaviridae (RNA) | No | Unknown, likely asymptomatic in Roughtail Stingrays | Unknown (aquatic) |
Rous Sarcoma Virus | Retroviridae, Alpharetrovirus (RNA) | No | Sarcomas (tumors), immunosuppression in chickens | Vertical (egg), direct contact |
Rovnako Virus | Flaviviridae, Flavivirus (RNA) | No | Unknown, likely asymptomatic in ticks | Tick-borne |
Royal Farm Virus | Togaviridae, Alphavirus (RNA) | No | Unknown, likely asymptomatic in birds and mosquitoes | Mosquito-borne |
Rubber-Associated Virus 1 | Unclassified (likely plant virus, RNA) | No | Unknown, possibly asymptomatic in rubber plants | Unknown (plant) |
Rubella Virus | Togaviridae, Rubivirus (RNA) | Yes | Rash, fever, swollen lymph nodes, congenital rubella syndrome | Airborne droplets |
Rubus Chlorotic Mottle Virus | Secoviridae, Nepovirus (RNA) | No | Chlorotic mottling, leaf distortion in Rubus plants | Nematodes |
Rudbeckia-Associated Virus | Unclassified (likely plant virus) | No | Unknown, possibly asymptomatic or mild symptoms in Rudbeckia | Unknown (plant) |
Rudong Hantavirus | Hantaviridae, Orthohantavirus (RNA) | Yes (potential) | Hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) in humans | Rodent excretions (aerosols) |
Rugose Newt Reovirus | Reoviridae, Orthoreovirus (RNA) | No | Unknown, possibly mild or systemic symptoms in newts | Waterborne, direct contact |
Rugose Sapelovirus A | Picornaviridae, Sapelovirus (RNA) | No | Unknown, possibly mild or enteric symptoms in swine | Fecal-oral |
Rukutama Virus | Peribunyaviridae, Orthobunyavirus (RNA) | No | Unknown, likely asymptomatic in mosquitoes and other hosts | Mosquito-borne |
Runde Virus | Flaviviridae, Flavivirus (RNA) | No | Unknown, likely asymptomatic in ticks and possibly seabirds | Tick-borne |
Rush Skeletonweed Virus A | Unclassified (likely plant virus) | No | Yellowing, mosaic patterns, stunting in plants | Unknown (plant) |
Russian Spring-Summer Encephalitis Virus | Flaviviridae, Flavivirus (RNA) | Yes | Fever, headache, nausea, stiff neck, encephalitis, paralysis | Tick-borne |
Rustrela Virus | Flaviviridae, Rustrelavirus (RNA) | No | Non-suppurative encephalitis in wild mammals (e.g., hares) | Unknown, possibly zoonotic |
Ryegrass Mosaic Virus | Potyviridae, Ryegrass mosaic virus (RNA) | No | Mosaic pattern, streaks, reduced growth in ryegrass | Mechanical |