There are 27 scientifically recognized viruses that start with the letter V, ranging from those that affect humans to those that infect animals, plants, and even bacteria. Many of these viruses belong to well-known families like Poxviridae and Herpesviridae, showing a wide variety of shapes, hosts, and effects. Some, like the Vaccinia virus, have played key roles in medicine, while others, such as plant and insect viruses, highlight the diversity of viruses in nature.
Explore the complete list below to learn about each virus’s classification, whether it affects humans, its symptoms, how it spreads, and a brief description of its significance.
Virus Name This is the official name of each virus, making it easy to identify and search for detailed information.
Classification This column shows the virus family and genus, helping you understand its place in the scientific system and relation to other viruses.
Affects Humans? This answers whether the virus infects humans, with simple yes or no answers to guide your focus on human health or other hosts.
Symptoms Here you find the main signs and health effects caused by the virus, providing a quick summary of what illness or damage it brings.
Transmission Method This explains how the virus spreads, such as through air, direct contact, insects, or other means, which is crucial for prevention and control.
Descripción This short description highlights key facts about each virus, including its impact, use, or role in ecosystems, giving you essential background knowledge.
Viruses that start with V
| Virus Name | Classification | Affects Humans? | Symptoms | Transmission Method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vaccinia virus | Poxviridae, Orthopoxvirus | Yes | Skin lesions, fever, generalized illness | Direct contact, contaminated materials |
| Variola virus | Poxviridae, Orthopoxvirus | Yes | High fever, distinctive rash, internal bleeding, organ failure | Airborne (droplets), direct contact with lesions |
| Varicella-zoster virus | Herpesviridae, Varicellovirus | Yes | Itchy rash, fever, fatigue (chickenpox); painful rash (shingles) | Airborne (droplets), direct contact with blisters |
| Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus | Togaviridae, Alphavirus | Yes | Fever, headache, myalgia, encephalitis (severe cases) | Mosquito-borne (equine to mosquito to human) |
| Vesicular stomatitis virus | Rhabdoviridae, Vesiculovirus | Yes (rarely) | Flu-like symptoms, oral lesions, muscle aches | Direct contact with infected animals, insect vectors (sandflies, black flies) |
| Vesicular exanthema of swine virus | Caliciviridae, Vesivirus | No (primarily swine) | Vesicular lesions (blisters) on snout, mouth, feet | Direct contact, contaminated feed, fomites |
| Vilyuisk human encephalomyelitis virus | Unclassified (RNA virus, possibly Retrovirus) | Yes | Progressive neurological symptoms, dementia, motor impairments | Unknown, possibly genetic predisposition or environmental factors |
| Visna-maedi virus | Retroviridae, Lentivirus | No (primarily sheep/goats) | Chronic pneumonia (Maedi); progressive neurological disease (Visna) | Direct contact, aerosols, colostrum/milk from infected mothers |
| Volepox virus | Poxviridae, Orthopoxvirus | No (primarily voles) | Skin lesions, generalized illness in voles | Direct contact, possibly aerosols |
| Vole adenovirus A | Adenoviridae, Mastadenovirus | No (primarily voles) | Respiratory or gastrointestinal symptoms in voles | Fecal-oral, direct contact, possibly aerosols |
| Vole rhabdovirus | Rhabdoviridae, Lyssavirus (proposed) | No (primarily voles) | Neurological symptoms (paralysis, behavioral changes) in voles | Bite, saliva, possibly contact with secretions |
| Vervet monkey herpesvirus 1 | Herpesviridae, Cercopithecine herpesvirus 1 (Monkey B virus) | Yes (severe, often fatal) | Fever, headache, encephalomyelitis, neurological dysfunction | Bite, scratch, contact with fluids from infected monkeys |
| Viper retrovirus | Retroviridae | No (primarily snakes) | Immunosuppression, tumors, lymphoma, wasting in snakes | Vertical transmission (mother to offspring), direct contact |
| Vientiane virus | Rhabdoviridae, Lyssavirus | Yes | Neurological symptoms, progressive paralysis, ultimately fatal encephalitis | Animal bite (bats), contact with infected animal saliva |
| Victoria Lake cichlid virus 1 | Iridoviridae, Ranavirus | No (primarily fish) | Skin lesions, organ necrosis, ascites, high mortality in fish | Waterborne, direct contact between fish |
| Velvet bean severe mosaic virus | Potyviridae, Potyvirus | No (primarily plants) | Mosaic patterns, leaf distortion, stunted growth, pod malformation | Aphid-borne, mechanical transmission |
| Velvet tobacco mottle virus | Tombusviridae, Tombusvirus | No (primarily plants) | Mottling, leaf distortion, stunting, necrosis in tobacco | Mechanical transmission, possibly soil-borne |
| Vanilla mosaic virus | Potyviridae, Potyvirus | No (primarily plants) | Mosaic patterns, leaf distortion, stunted growth, flower abortion | Aphid-borne, mechanical transmission |
| Vanilla necrosis virus | Ophioviridae, Ophiovirus | No (primarily plants) | Necrosis, wilting, decline, and dieback of vanilla plants | Unknown, possibly fungal vectors or soil transmission |
| Vibrio phage CTXphi | Inoviridae, Inovirus (bacteriophage) | No (primarily bacteria) | Lysogenic conversion of Vibrio cholerae | Horizontal gene transfer, infection of bacteria |
| Vibrio phage KVP40 | Siphoviridae, Siphovirus (bacteriophage) | No (primarily bacteria) | Lysis of Vibrio parahaemolyticus bacteria | Lytic infection |
| Volvox chlorella virus 1 | Phycodnaviridae, Chlorovirus | No (primarily algae) | Lysis and death of Volvox and Chlorella algal cells | Waterborne |
| Venturia canescens picorna-like virus | Unclassified (RNA virus) | No (primarily insects) | Infects parasitic wasps (Venturia canescens), affects host physiology | Vertical transmission (parent to offspring), horizontal contact |
| Vianna virus | Rhabdoviridae, Lyssavirus | Yes | Neurological symptoms, progressive paralysis, ultimately fatal encephalitis | Animal bite (bats), contact with infected animal saliva |
| Volgograd virus | Bunyaviridae, Phlebovirus (proposed) | Yes (rarely) | Fever, headache, fatigue, myalgia (mild febrile illness) | Tick-borne |
| Vinces virus | Togaviridae, Alphavirus | No (primarily mosquitoes, unknown vertebrate host) | Replication in mosquito vector cells (Culex mosquitoes) | Mosquito-borne (mosquitoes to unknown vertebrate host) |
| Viola mottle virus | Potyviridae, Potyvirus | No (primarily plants) | Mottling, leaf distortion, stunting, flower deformation | Aphid-borne, mechanical transmission |
Descriptions
Vaccinia virus
A large, complex DNA virus known for its pivotal role in the eradication of smallpox. It was extensively used as the live vaccine against Variola virus, inducing immunity. Though generally mild, it can cause localized or systemic reactions in some individuals.
Variola virus
The causative agent of smallpox, a highly contagious and often fatal disease that historically devastated human populations. Characterized by a severe skin rash that progressed to fluid-filled blisters. It was declared eradicated globally in 1980 through widespread vaccination efforts.
Varicella-zoster virus
A common human herpesvirus responsible for two distinct diseases: chickenpox in children and shingles in adults. After primary infection (chickenpox), the virus remains dormant in nerve cells and can reactivate years later as the painful rash of shingles.
Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus
An arbovirus that primarily affects horses, causing severe neurological disease often leading to death. It can also infect humans, causing flu-like symptoms, and in some cases, severe encephalitis. The virus is endemic in parts of the Americas.
Vesicular stomatitis virus
A virus that primarily causes disease in livestock like cattle, horses, and pigs, characterized by painful blisters in the mouth and on teats. Humans can occasionally be infected, typically experiencing mild flu-like symptoms. It is an important agricultural concern.
Vesicular exanthema of swine virus
Causes a highly contagious disease in swine characterized by fluid-filled blisters on the snout, mouth, and feet. This virus is of significant concern in animal agriculture due to its economic impact and similarity to Foot-and-Mouth Disease.
Vilyuisk human encephalomyelitis virus
Associated with a severe, progressive neurological disorder primarily affecting people in the Vilyuisk region of Siberia. The exact classification and transmission methods remain unclear, but it leads to a chronic and debilitating form of encephalitis.
Visna-maedi virus
A slow-acting retrovirus that causes two distinct, chronic diseases in sheep and goats: Maedi, a progressive interstitial pneumonia, and Visna, a neurological disorder characterized by paralysis. It leads to significant economic losses in livestock.
Volepox virus
A rodent poxvirus found in various vole species. It causes localized skin lesions and systemic disease in its natural hosts. While closely related to other poxviruses, it is not known to naturally infect humans.
Vole adenovirus A
An adenovirus that infects voles, a type of small rodent. It is known to cause respiratory and gastrointestinal illness in its host species. Like other adenoviruses, it is highly species-specific.
Vole rhabdovirus
A type of rhabdovirus identified in voles. Its exact pathogenicity and potential for zoonotic transmission are still under investigation. Rhabdoviruses often cause neurological diseases, including rabies-like symptoms.
Vervet monkey herpesvirus 1
A highly pathogenic herpesvirus for humans, causing severe, often fatal encephalitis. It is endemic in macaque monkeys, which are typically asymptomatic carriers. Human infections are rare but have significant implications.
Viper retrovirus
A retrovirus found in various snake species. It can cause a range of diseases in its reptilian hosts, including immunosuppression, anemia, and various tumors, such as lymphomas and fibrosarcomas, impacting snake health.
Vientiane virus
A bat lyssavirus discovered in Laos, genetically related to the rabies virus. It can cause a fatal neurological disease in mammals, including humans, similar to classical rabies. Awareness of bat lyssaviruses is crucial for public health.
Victoria Lake cichlid virus 1
A ranavirus that affects cichlid fish populations in Lake Victoria. It causes high mortality among these fish, leading to skin lesions and internal organ damage. This virus can significantly impact aquatic ecosystems and fisheries.
Velvet bean severe mosaic virus
A plant virus that infects velvet bean plants, causing severe mosaic patterns on leaves, distortion, and stunted growth, ultimately reducing crop yield. It is transmitted efficiently by aphids and through mechanical means.
Velvet tobacco mottle virus
A plant virus primarily affecting tobacco and other related plant species. It causes characteristic mottling, stunting, and distortion of leaves. Transmission occurs readily through mechanical means and potentially through the soil.
Vanilla mosaic virus
A significant plant virus affecting vanilla orchids globally. It causes distinct mosaic patterns on leaves, stunting, and deformation of pods, severely impacting vanilla production. It is efficiently transmitted by aphids.
Vanilla necrosis virus
Associated with a devastating disease in vanilla plants, causing necrosis, wilting, and overall decline, often leading to plant death. Its exact transmission mechanism is still being investigated, but it poses a serious threat to vanilla cultivation.
Vibrio phage CTXphi
A bacteriophage (virus that infects bacteria) famous for carrying the cholera toxin genes. It transforms non-pathogenic Vibrio cholerae strains into pathogenic, cholera-causing strains through lysogenic conversion, making it crucial for cholera epidemiology.
Vibrio phage KVP40
A bacteriophage that specifically infects and lyses Vibrio parahaemolyticus, a common bacterium known to cause foodborne illness. This phage is of interest for potential applications in biocontrol or detection of this pathogen.
Volvox chlorella virus 1
A giant DNA virus that infects and lyses green algae, specifically Volvox and Chlorella species. These viruses play a role in controlling algal populations in aquatic environments, influencing ecosystem dynamics.
Venturia canescens picorna-like virus
An RNA virus found in the parasitic wasp Venturia canescens. It is not known to infect humans or plants, but rather impacts its insect host, potentially influencing the wasp’s development, reproduction, or interaction with its host.
Vianna virus
A bat lyssavirus identified in Brazil, closely related to the rabies virus. It can cause a fatal neurological disease in humans and other mammals following transmission, typically through bat bites or contact with infected fluids.
Volgograd virus
A phlebovirus first identified in Russia. While less studied than other phleboviruses, it has been associated with mild febrile illness in humans. It is transmitted by ticks, suggesting a zoonotic cycle involving rodents.
Vinces virus
An alphavirus isolated from mosquitoes in Ecuador. Its primary vertebrate host and potential pathogenicity for humans or animals are currently unknown. It is primarily identified by its presence in mosquito populations.
Viola mottle virus
A plant virus that causes mosaic and distortion symptoms in viola and other ornamental plants. It leads to significant aesthetic damage to affected plants and is transmitted by aphids, making it an concern for horticulture.