Hendra Virus
Ron Smith, MD
Hendra in the News
Hendra virus is closely related to the Nipah virus. Transmission electron microscopic (TEM) image of a Nipah virus isolate revealed nucleocapsids aligned under the cell surface cut in transverse and longitudinal sections. Hendra and Nipah are members of the family Paramyxoviridae.
Bat Habitat, Behavior Spark Hendra Virus Risk [Study]
From 1996 until 2020, the team recorded 63 Hendra incidents, ranging from horses to bats. The frequency rose starting in 2006 and that spillovers were recorded in 80% of years.Hendra can spread to humans through intermediate hosts, such as horses. Although the Hendra virus is known to be present in flying foxes, it doesn’t seem to harm animals. However, the virus is deadly for people and horses, with 75% and 57% mortality rates, respectively.
Hendra virus infection
Hendra virus (HeV) infection is a rare emerging zoonosis (disease that can be transmitted to humans from animals) that causes severe and often fatal disease in both infected horses and humans. The natural host of the virus has been identified as being fruit bats of the Pteropodidae Family, Pteropus genus.
HeV was identified during the first recorded outbreak of the disease in the Brisbane suburb of Hendra, Australia, in 1994. The outbreak involved 21 stabled racehorses and two human cases. As of July 2016, 53 disease incidents involving over 70 horses have been reported. These incidents were all confined to the north-eastern coast of Australia. A total of seven humans have contracted Hendra virus from infected horses, particularly through close contact during care or necropsy of ill or dead horses. There is a vaccine for animals.
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