Discover the complete list of 28 viruses that start with the letter “Z,” drawn from scientific studies and reputable virology sources worldwide. These viruses include those that affect humans, plants, and insects, showcasing a wide variety of hosts and transmission methods. Notably, many of these viruses were discovered in Asia and Africa and include well-known human pathogens like Zaire ebolavirus and Zika virus, alongside numerous plant and insect viruses that impact agriculture and ecosystems globally.
Explore the detailed table below to learn about each virus, its classification, host range, symptoms, and how it spreads.
Virus Name This column lists the official name of each virus, helping you identify the specific pathogen or virus species starting with “Z.”
Classification Here, you’ll find the viral family or order each virus belongs to, providing insight into its scientific grouping and related viruses.
Affects Humans? This section indicates whether the virus can infect humans, which is crucial for understanding public health risks.
Symptoms This column describes common signs or illnesses caused by the virus in its primary host, whether human, plant, or insect.
Transmission Method Learn how each virus spreads, such as by mosquitoes, ticks, direct contact, mechanical means, or seed-borne routes, highlighting the pathways important for control.
Descripción This provides a concise summary of each virus, including notable features, geographic origin, and its significance in health or agriculture.
Viruses that start with Z
| Viruses | Classification | Affects humans? | Symptoms | Transmission method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zaire ebolavirus | Filoviridae | Yes | Severe fever, fatigue, muscle pain, headache, sore throat, vomiting, diarrhea, rash, impaired kidney and liver function, internal and external bleeding. | Direct contact with blood, bodily fluids, or tissues of infected people or animals. |
| Zaliv Terpeniya virus | Phenuiviridae | Unknown | Unknown in humans. Associated with ticks, potential for animal impact. | Tick-borne (Ixodes persulcatus) |
| Zea mays anivirus 1 | Amalgaviridae | No | Associated with maize, often mild or subclinical symptoms like stunting or mosaic patterns. | Seed-borne or potentially via sap/mechanical injury. |
| Zea mays chrysovirus 1 | Chrysoviridae | No | Causes chlorosis (yellowing) and reduced growth in maize plants, leading to potential yield losses. | Seed-borne |
| Zea mays citrivirus 1 | Kitaviridae (unassigned) | No | Unknown, likely causes mild or asymptomatic infection in maize. | Unknown, likely vector-borne or seed-borne. |
| Zea mays polerovirus 1 | Luteoviridae | No | Causes yellowing, leaf rolling, and stunting in maize, potentially reducing grain yield. | Aphid-borne (circulative, non-propagative) |
| Zea mays striatovirus 1 | Phenuiviridae | No | Causes chlorotic stripes and mosaic patterns on maize leaves, leading to plant stunting and reduced yield. | Planthopper-borne |
| Zengcheng hapalovirus 1 | Hantaviridae | Unknown | Unknown in humans. If pathogenic, could cause fever or flu-like symptoms. | Unknown, often associated with arthropods or rodents. |
| Zhanjiang Fly Virus 1 | Rhabdoviridae | No | Unknown in humans. Causes asymptomatic or mild infection in flies. | Fly-borne/Insect-borne |
| Zhangjiakou anphevirus 1 | Fimoviridae | Unknown | Unknown in humans. May cause asymptomatic infection in mosquitoes. | Mosquito-borne |
| Zhangye anphevirus 1 | Fimoviridae | Unknown | Unknown in humans. May cause asymptomatic infection in mosquitoes. | Mosquito-borne |
| Zhangye totivirus 1 | Totiviridae | No | Unknown in humans. Likely causes persistent, asymptomatic infection in its fungal or insect host. | Unknown, often vertically transmitted in fungi or insects. |
| Zhejiang mosquito virus | Flaviviridae | Unknown | Unknown in humans. Isolated from mosquitoes. If pathogenic, could cause fever, headache, or flu-like symptoms. | Mosquito-borne |
| Zhejiang triticovirus 1 | Amalgaviridae | No | Unknown, likely mild or asymptomatic in wheat. | Unknown, possibly seed-borne. |
| Zhongfang tombus-like virus 1 | Tombusviridae | No | Unknown, but tombusviruses typically cause mosaic, mottling, or necrosis in plants. | Soil-borne, mechanical transmission, possibly through water. |
| Zhongyuan anphevirus 1 | Fimoviridae | Unknown | Unknown in humans. May cause asymptomatic infection in mosquitoes. | Mosquito-borne |
| Zhuhai tombus-like virus 1 | Tombusviridae | No | Unknown, but tombusviruses generally cause plant diseases. | Soil-borne, mechanical transmission. |
| Zika virus | Flaviviridae | Yes | Mild fever, rash, joint pain, conjunctivitis (red eyes), muscle pain, headache. Can cause microcephaly in infants. | Mosquito-borne (Aedes species), sexual transmission, mother-to-child during pregnancy. |
| Zirca virus | Bunyavirales | Unknown | Unknown in humans. Isolated from ticks. If pathogenic, could cause fever, flu-like symptoms. | Tick-borne |
| Zoysia mosaic virus | Potyviridae | No | Causes mosaic patterns and chlorotic streaks on Zoysia grass leaves, reducing aesthetic quality. | Mechanical transmission, possibly through contaminated tools or sap. |
| Zoysia-associated rhabdovirus | Rhabdoviridae | No | Unknown, likely causes mild or asymptomatic infection in Zoysia grass; rhabdoviruses in plants can cause leaf deformities. | Unknown, possibly insect vector. |
| Zucchini green mottle mosaic virus | Tobamoviridae | No | Causes severe mosaic, mottling, and blistering on leaves, leading to fruit deformation and yield loss. | Mechanical transmission (contact, tools, hands), seed-borne, potentially soil-borne. |
| Zucchini lethal chlorosis virus | Tospoviridae | No | Causes severe yellowing (chlorosis), necrosis, and stunting in zucchini and other cucurbits, often leading to plant death. | Thrips-borne (specifically Frankliniella schultzei). |
| Zucchini shoestring virus | Potyviridae | No | Causes severe leaf distortion, narrowing (“shoestring” appearance), blistering, and fruit malformation. | Aphid-borne (non-persistent), mechanical transmission. |
| Zucchini taproot stunt virus | Tombusviridae | No | Causes stunting, yellowing, and necrosis of the taproot in zucchini plants, leading to overall plant decline and yield loss. | Soil-borne, possibly mechanically. |
| Zucchini yellow fleck virus | Potyviridae | No | Causes distinct yellow flecks and mosaic patterns on zucchini leaves, leading to reduced plant vigor and fruit quality. | Aphid-borne (non-persistent), mechanical transmission. |
| Zucchini yellow mosaic virus | Potyviridae | No | Causes severe yellowing, mosaic, blistering, and distortion of leaves, often leading to severely malformed and unmarketable fruits. | Aphid-borne (non-persistent), mechanical transmission. |
| Zunyi anphevirus 1 | Fimoviridae | Unknown | Unknown in humans. May cause asymptomatic infection in mosquitoes. | Mosquito-borne |
Descriptions
Zaire ebolavirus
This is one of the most dangerous human viruses, causing severe hemorrhagic fever. It spreads through direct contact with bodily fluids and can lead to high fatality rates. Understanding its transmission is crucial for containment efforts globally.
Zaliv Terpeniya virus
Discovered in ticks in the Russian Far East, Zaliv Terpeniya virus is a relatively new find. Its impact on humans is currently unknown, though it may circulate in animal populations via tick bites. Researchers are studying its potential ecological role.
Zea mays anivirus 1
Zea mays anivirus 1 is a plant virus found in maize, or corn. It typically causes no severe disease symptoms, often remaining hidden in infected plants. Its presence is usually detected through molecular analysis, contributing to the complex virome of agricultural crops.
Zea mays chrysovirus 1
This virus infects maize plants, causing symptoms like yellowing and stunting that can impact crop yield. Zea mays chrysovirus 1 is transmitted through seeds, making it a concern for agricultural productivity and food security.
Zea mays citrivirus 1
Zea mays citrivirus 1 is another virus identified in maize plants. Its specific impact and transmission methods are still being researched, but like many plant viruses, it can affect crop health. It’s an example of the vast diversity of viruses in agricultural ecosystems.
Zea mays polerovirus 1
Zea mays polerovirus 1 is an aphid-transmitted virus that affects maize plants. It causes yellowing and stunting, which can lead to reduced crop yields. Managing aphid populations is key to controlling its spread in agricultural fields.
Zea mays striatovirus 1
This virus infects maize, leading to distinctive striped patterns on leaves and stunted growth. Zea mays striatovirus 1 is transmitted by planthoppers, posing a threat to corn crops globally. Its presence can significantly impact agricultural productivity.
Zengcheng hapalovirus 1
Discovered in a mosquito sample from China, Zengcheng hapalovirus 1 belongs to a group of relatively new viruses. Its potential to infect humans is currently unknown, but research is ongoing to understand its hosts and possible transmission pathways in nature.
Zhanjiang Fly Virus 1
Isolated from flies in Zhanjiang, China, this virus is primarily known to infect insects. While not known to affect humans, its discovery contributes to our understanding of insect viromes. Research helps map the diversity of viruses in various ecosystems.
Zhangjiakou anphevirus 1
This virus was found in mosquitoes from Zhangjiakou, China. While its impact on humans is not yet determined, it adds to the growing list of viruses carried by mosquitoes. Ongoing research aims to understand its ecological significance and potential public health implications.
Zhangye anphevirus 1
Also discovered in mosquitoes, Zhangye anphevirus 1 is another example of the diverse viruses found in insect populations. Its effects on humans are currently unknown, but studying such viruses helps scientists monitor emerging pathogens.
Zhangye totivirus 1
Zhangye totivirus 1 was identified in mosquito samples. Totiviruses typically infect fungi or protists, often causing persistent, asymptomatic infections. Its role in mosquitoes is still under investigation, but it is not known to impact human health.
Zhejiang mosquito virus
Isolated from mosquitoes in Zhejiang, China, this virus is part of the Flaviviridae family, which includes many human pathogens. While its impact on humans is currently unknown, its discovery highlights the importance of mosquito surveillance for public health.
Zhejiang triticovirus 1
Zhejiang triticovirus 1 is a virus found in wheat plants. Its specific effects on wheat are not well-documented, but it contributes to the complex virome present in agricultural crops. Research into such viruses helps manage crop health.
Zhongfang tombus-like virus 1
This virus is similar to known tombusviruses, which primarily infect plants. Discovered in China, its specific host and symptoms are still being investigated, but it is not known to pose a threat to human health.
Zhongyuan anphevirus 1
Found in mosquitoes in China, Zhongyuan anphevirus 1 is another recently discovered virus belonging to the Fimoviridae family. Its impact on humans is currently not known, and it is part of the ongoing effort to catalogue insect-borne viruses.
Zhuhai tombus-like virus 1
Similar to other tombus-like viruses, this one is expected to infect plants and not humans. Its discovery in Zhuhai, China, expands our knowledge of plant virology, contributing to a broader understanding of viral diversity.
Zika virus
Zika virus is primarily transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes, causing mild symptoms in most people. However, it is a significant concern due to its link to severe birth defects like microcephaly when pregnant women are infected. Sexual transmission is also possible.
Zirca virus
Discovered in ticks from Zambia, Zirca virus is a relatively new member of the Bunyavirales order. Its potential to affect humans is currently under investigation, but its presence in ticks suggests a vector-borne transmission cycle in nature.
Zoysia mosaic virus
This virus specifically infects Zoysia grass, causing distinctive mosaic patterns on its leaves. While not harmful to humans, it can significantly impact the aesthetic value of lawns and golf courses. It spreads mechanically, highlighting the importance of sanitation.
Zoysia-associated rhabdovirus
This rhabdovirus is found in Zoysia grass. While its specific effects on the plant are still being studied, rhabdoviruses often impact plant health. It’s not known to affect humans, contributing to the diverse microbial world of plants.
Zucchini green mottle mosaic virus
This plant virus severely affects zucchini and other cucurbit crops, causing distinctive green mottle mosaic patterns on leaves and fruit deformation. It spreads easily through mechanical contact, posing a significant challenge for growers worldwide.
Zucchini lethal chlorosis virus
A destructive plant virus, Zucchini lethal chlorosis virus causes severe yellowing, stunting, and eventual death of zucchini plants. Transmitted by thrips, it poses a significant threat to cucurbit production, requiring careful pest management.
Zucchini shoestring virus
This virus causes a characteristic “shoestring” deformation and severe distortion of zucchini leaves and fruit. It is transmitted by aphids and mechanical means, leading to significant yield losses in cucurbit crops globally.
Zucchini taproot stunt virus
Zucchini taproot stunt virus infects the taproots of zucchini plants, causing stunting and yellowing symptoms. This soil-borne virus can significantly reduce crop vigor and yield, posing a challenge for vegetable growers.
Zucchini yellow fleck virus
This virus infects zucchini plants, characterized by yellow flecks and mosaic patterns on leaves, affecting fruit development. Transmitted by aphids, it is a common pathogen in cucurbit crops, impacting yield and marketability.
Zucchini yellow mosaic virus
A widespread and highly destructive plant virus, Zucchini yellow mosaic virus causes severe yellowing and distortion of leaves and fruit in cucurbits. It is efficiently transmitted by aphids, resulting in significant crop losses globally.
Zunyi anphevirus 1
Discovered in mosquitoes from Zunyi, China, this is another anphevirus, likely not affecting humans directly. Its identification contributes to the scientific understanding of arboviruses and the viral diversity present in insect populations.