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Annals of tropical medicine and parasitology2011; 105(1); 1-11; doi: 10.1179/136485911X12899838413547

Emerging tropical diseases in Australia. Part 5. Hendra virus.

Abstract: Hendra virus (HeV) was first isolated in 1994, from a disease outbreak involving at least 21 horses and two humans in the Brisbane suburb of Hendra, Australia. The affected horses and humans all developed a severe but unidentified respiratory disease that resulted in the deaths of one of the human cases and the deaths or putting down of 14 of the horses. The virus, isolated by culture from a horse and the kidney of the fatal human case, was initially characterised as a new member of the genus Morbillivirus in the family Paramyxoviridae. Comparative sequence analysis of part of the matrix protein gene of the virus and the discovery that the virus had an exceptionally large genome subsequently led to HeV being assigned to a new genus, Henipavirus, along with Nipah virus (a newly emergent virus in pigs). The regular outbreaks of HeV-related disease that have occurred in Australia since 1994 have all been characterised by acute respiratory and neurological manifestations, with high levels of morbidity and mortality in the affected horses and humans. The modes of transmission of HeV remain largely unknown. Although fruit bats have been identified as natural hosts of the virus, direct bat-horse, bat-human or human-human transmission has not been reported. Human infection can occur via exposure to infectious urine, saliva or nasopharyngeal fluid from horses. The treatment options and efficacy are very limited and no vaccine exists. Reports on the outbreaks of HeV in Australia are collated in this review and the available data on the biology, transmission and detection of the pathogen are summarized and discussed.
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Publication Date: 2011-02-08 PubMed ID: 21294944PubMed Central: PMC4089792DOI: 10.1179/136485911X12899838413547Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

The research focuses on the Hendra virus (HeV), first identified in 1994, and its subsequent occurrences in Australia. The virus affects horses and humans, typically causing intense respiratory diseases that can result in death. Despite the virus being linked to fruit bats, the exact method of transmission is unclear.

Hendra Virus Introduction and Characterisation

  • The Hendra virus (HeV), first discovered in 1994 in Australia, resulted from an outbreak affecting 21 horses and two humans, all showing severe respiratory symptoms. The disease led to the death of one human and 14 horses.
  • Original classification of the isolated virus linked it to the Morbillivirus genus in the Paramyxoviridae family.
  • Detailed analysis of the virus’s matrix protein gene and the unusually large size of its genome led to HeV’s reclassification as part of the newly created Henipavirus genus, which also includes the Nipah virus found in pigs.

Symptoms and Occurrences of HeV Infections

  • All HeV-related disease outbreaks in Australia since 1994 have displayed acute neurological and respiratory symptoms, with both horses and humans showing high mortality and morbidity rates.
  • In the reported HeV outbreaks, treatment options have proven to be quite limited, and no effective vaccine is currently available.

Transmission and Detection of HeV

  • While fruit bats are identified as natural hosts of HeV, the exact transmission modes, whether bat-horse, bat-human, or human-human, remain largely uninvestigated and unconfirmed.
  • Transmission to humans has, however, been linked to the exposure to infectious nasopharyngeal fluid, saliva, or urine from infected horses.
  • Empirical data on HeV’s biology, transmission, and detection were systematically reviewed, discussing the trends and limitations of the research and its implications for future studies and disease control strategies.

Cite This Article

APA
Tulsiani SM, Graham GC, Moore PR, Jansen CC, Van Den Hurk AF, Moore FA, Simmons RJ, Craig SB. (2011). Emerging tropical diseases in Australia. Part 5. Hendra virus. Ann Trop Med Parasitol, 105(1), 1-11. https://doi.org/10.1179/136485911X12899838413547

Publication

Annals of tropical medicine and parasitology
ISSN: 1364-8594
NlmUniqueID: 2985178R
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 105
Issue: 1
Pages: 1-11

Researcher Affiliations

Tulsiani, S M
  • WHO/OIE/FAO Collaborating Centre for Reference and Research on Leptospirosis, Queensland Health Forensic and Scientific Services, 39 Kessels Road, Coopers Plains, Queensland 4108, Australia.
Graham, G C
    Moore, P R
      Jansen, C C
        Van Den Hurk, A F
          Moore, F A J
            Simmons, R J
              Craig, S B

                MeSH Terms

                • Animals
                • Australia / epidemiology
                • Chiroptera / virology
                • Disease Outbreaks / statistics & numerical data
                • Hendra Virus / genetics
                • Hendra Virus / isolation & purification
                • Hendra Virus / pathogenicity
                • Henipavirus Infections / epidemiology
                • Henipavirus Infections / mortality
                • Henipavirus Infections / transmission
                • Henipavirus Infections / virology
                • Horse Diseases / epidemiology
                • Horse Diseases / transmission
                • Horse Diseases / virology
                • Horses
                • Humans
                • Immunohistochemistry
                • Nipah Virus / pathogenicity
                • Zoonoses / epidemiology
                • Zoonoses / virology

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                This article has been cited 8 times.
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