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Home / Equine Research Bank / Emerg Infect Dis / Experimental infection of horses with Hendra virus/Australia...
Emerging infectious diseases2011; 17(12); 2232-2238; doi: 10.3201/eid1712.111162

Experimental infection of horses with Hendra virus/Australia/horse/2008/Redlands.

Abstract: Hendra virus (HeV) is a highly pathogenic zoonotic paramyxovirus harbored by Australian flying foxes with sporadic spillovers directly to horses. Although the mode and critical control points of HeV spillover to horses from flying foxes, and the risk for transmission from infected horses to other horses and humans, are poorly understood, we successfully established systemic HeV disease in 3 horses exposed to Hendra virus/Australia/Horse/2008/Redlands by the oronasal route, a plausible route for natural infection. In 2 of the 3 animals, HeV RNA was detected continually in nasal swabs from as early as 2 days postexposure, indicating that systemic spread of the virus may be preceded by local viral replication in the nasal cavity or nasopharynx. Our data suggest that a critical factor for reducing HeV exposure risk to humans includes early consideration of HeV in the differential diagnosis and institution of appropriate infection control procedures.
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Publication Date: 2011-12-17 PubMed ID: 22172152PubMed Central: PMC3311212DOI: 10.3201/eid1712.111162Google 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 article focuses on understanding the transmission and spread of the Hendra virus (HeV) in horses, a potentially lethal virus harbored by Australian flying foxes. The study managed to establish HeV disease in three horses, contributing to the understanding of the virus’ mechanism of spreading and suggesting critical factors for reducing human exposure risk.

Introduction to Hendra Virus

  • The Hendra virus (HeV) is a high-risk pathogen which is naturally carried by Australian flying foxes and is occasionally passed directly on to horses.
  • The virus can be deadly to both horses and humans, making it a zoonotic paramyxovirus.
  • The specific manner of transmission from the flying foxes to horses, as well as the potential for further spreading of the virus from infected horses to other horses or humans, is not well understood and is an area of active research.

Research Experiment Setup and Findings

  • In this study, researchers were able to successfully induce systemic HeV disease in three horses by exposing them to Hendra virus/Australia/Horse/2008/Redlands through the oronasal route. This demonstrates a possible natural infection route.
  • In two of the three horses, HeV RNA was detected continuously in nasal swabs as early as two days following exposure.
  • This suggests that the systemic spread of the virus in the host body might be preceded by local viral replication in the nasal cavity or the nasopharynx.

Implications on HeV Diagnosis and Control

  • The study indicates that an important strategy to minimize the risk of humans being exposed to HeV is to consider the possibility of HeV infection at an early stage when diagnosing horses.
  • Appropriate infection control measures should also be implemented as soon as HeV is suspected.

Cite This Article

APA
Marsh GA, Haining J, Hancock TJ, Robinson R, Foord AJ, Barr JA, Riddell S, Heine HG, White JR, Crameri G, Field HE, Wang LF, Middleton D. (2011). Experimental infection of horses with Hendra virus/Australia/horse/2008/Redlands. Emerg Infect Dis, 17(12), 2232-2238. https://doi.org/10.3201/eid1712.111162

Publication

Emerging infectious diseases
ISSN: 1080-6059
NlmUniqueID: 9508155
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 17
Issue: 12
Pages: 2232-2238

Researcher Affiliations

Marsh, Glenn A
  • Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization Livestock Industries, Geelong, Victoria, Australia. glenn.marsh@csiro.au
Haining, Jessica
    Hancock, Timothy J
      Robinson, Rachel
        Foord, Adam J
          Barr, Jennifer A
            Riddell, Shane
              Heine, Hans G
                White, John R
                  Crameri, Gary
                    Field, Hume E
                      Wang, Lin-Fa
                        Middleton, Deborah

                          MeSH Terms

                          • Animals
                          • Australia
                          • Chiroptera / virology
                          • Communicable Diseases, Emerging / diagnosis
                          • Communicable Diseases, Emerging / transmission
                          • Communicable Diseases, Emerging / veterinary
                          • Communicable Diseases, Emerging / virology
                          • Female
                          • Hendra Virus / genetics
                          • Hendra Virus / isolation & purification
                          • Hendra Virus / physiology
                          • Henipavirus Infections / diagnosis
                          • Henipavirus Infections / transmission
                          • Henipavirus Infections / veterinary
                          • Henipavirus Infections / virology
                          • Horse Diseases / diagnosis
                          • Horse Diseases / transmission
                          • Horse Diseases / virology
                          • Horses
                          • Humans
                          • Queensland
                          • Viral Load
                          • Virus Replication
                          • Virus Shedding
                          • Zoonoses / transmission
                          • Zoonoses / virology

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