The Indian scientists first identified the Nipah virus in bats in the state of Maharashtra, RIA Novosti reported.

The virus, which is commonly found in flying foxes and mice, is named by the World Health Organization as one of the most dangerous in the world. It is transmitted to people who have eaten fruits that have been contaminated with saliva from an infected animal. There is currently no medicine or vaccine against the virus and the mortality rate reaches from 40 to 75%.

Earlier, four outbreaks of the disease were identified in India. The Nipah virus was first reported in West Bengal in 2001 and 2007. Twice more - in 2018 and 2019 in Kerala.

Scientists noted that since March 2020, they examined samples of 80 mice of the species Rousettus leschenaultii and Pipistrellus Pipistrellus living in the Mahabaleshwara cave and found RNA and antibodies to the Nipah virus in them.

The researchers said the finding warrants further study as no conclusions can be drawn from the current review given the small sample of bats.