Upregulation of inflammatory mediators such as TNF-α, IP-10, IL-1β and IL-6 in the lungs was previously shown to play a role in the pathogenesis of lethal NiV in hamsters [13], as well as in the development of ALI with other respiratory virus infections, including SARS-CoV and influenza virus (H5N1) [30], [32], [33]. Here, IL1B is linked to acute respiratory distress syndrome.