Henipavirus is a genus of RNA viruses in the family Paramyxoviridae, order Mononegavirales containing five established species. Henipaviruses are naturally harboured by pteropid fruit bats (flying foxes) and microbats of several species. NiV, along with Hendra virus (HeV), is a member of the genus Henipavirus within the family Paramyxoviridae.