Like COVID-19, Nipah virus originated from bats, specifically fruit bats. The most extreme cases of Nipah virus can cause the brain to swell excessively, making sufferers feel sleepy or even have seizures. Since then, 119 people have died from Nipah virus across multiple outbreaks in Malaysia, India, the Philippines, Singapore and Bangladesh. Where is the current Nipah virus outbreakThe current outbreak of Nipah Virus is in West Bengal, India. Nipah virus health advice for AustraliansThe Department of Health told The Nightly that Nipah virus is rare, but “can be deadly”.