Henipaviruses: a new family of emerging Paramyxoviruses.
Abstract: Paramyxoviruses have been implicated in both animal and human infections. Some viruses, such as Morbilliviruses are responsible for large-scale epidemics. However, there are limited observations of these viruses crossing the host species barrier in nature. In 1994, in Australia a fatal infection in horses and humans was identified to be caused by a new Paramyxovirus, Hendra virus (HeV), and in 1998 in Malaysia, a closely related virus, Nipah virus (NiV) was responsible for fatal infections in pigs and humans. These two viruses were sufficiently different from previously described Paramyxoviruses to create a new genus, Henipaviruses. The natural reservoir of these viruses was the fruit bat (Pteropus), which is found in regions extending from the western Pacific to the eastern coast of Africa. Serological studies have established that as many as half the fruit bats in colonies throughout these regions may have antibodies against this family of viruses. The availability of diagnostic reagents for Nipah virus in humans have identified infections in several countries including, Bangladesh, India and Indonesia. In some of these epidemics, mortality in humans exceeds 75%. Deforestation is probably responsible for fruit bats leaving their ecological niches and approaching farms and villages. The infection of humans and animals may occur via contaminated foods or in certain cases by animals to man. At present, only within close families has human-to-human transmission been proposed. Henipavirus infections are probably more widespread than it is at presently known and so it is important to have an intense monitoring for these diseases, especially in countries where large-scale deforestation is happening.
Publication Date: 2008-06-03 PubMed ID: 18511217DOI: 10.1016/j.patbio.2008.04.006Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary
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This study revolves around the discovery, spread, and potential risk of Henipaviruses, a new genus of Paramyxoviruses causing fatal infections in horses, pigs, and humans. The research highlights the need for intense monitoring due to their widespread prevalence, notably in countries with significant deforestation.
Discovery of Henipaviruses
- In 1994, a fatal infection affecting horses and humans in Australia was identified as a new Paramyxovirus named Hendra virus (HeV).
- In 1998, a closely related virus called Nipah virus (NiV) caused lethal infections in pigs and humans in Malaysia.
- Henipaviruses were formally introduced as a new genus, having significant differences from previously identified Paramyxoviruses.
Role of Fruit Bats as Natural Reservoirs
- Fruit bats (Pteropus) are identified as the natural carriers of these viruses, found in regions expanding from the western Pacific to the eastern coast of Africa.
- Available serological studies established that nearly half the fruit bat colonies throughout these regions may have antibodies against these viruses. It signifies their capacity to carry the infection without exhibiting symptoms.
Propagation and Human Impact of Henipavirus Infections
- Human infections due to Nipah virus have been identified in several countries, including Bangladesh, India, and Indonesia, with mortality rates in some outbreaks exceeding 75%.
- Henipavirus infections seem to be spreading more vastly than currently known. Transmission of the infection is likely to occur through contaminated foods or from animals to humans. However, human-to-human transmission is suggested only within immediate family members.
Deforestation and Virus Spread
- The study suggested that large-scale deforestation might be causing fruit bats to leave their natural habitats and approach farmlands and villages, increasing the chances of virus exposure.
- Massive deforestation may hence contribute to the transmission of Henipavirus infections, leading to potential outbreaks in humans and animals.
- The paper calls for stringent monitoring for these diseases, especially in countries with extensive deforestation, to detect and prevent potential outbreaks.
Cite This Article
APA
Wild TF.
(2008).
Henipaviruses: a new family of emerging Paramyxoviruses.
Pathol Biol (Paris), 57(2), 188-196.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.patbio.2008.04.006 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Inserm U758, Immunobiology of viral infections, 69365 Lyon, France. fabian.wild@btinternet.com
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Chiroptera / virology
- Disease Outbreaks
- Disease Transmission, Infectious
- Henipavirus / isolation & purification
- Henipavirus / pathogenicity
- Henipavirus Infections / epidemiology
- Henipavirus Infections / veterinary
- Horse Diseases / virology
- Horses
- Humans
- Malaysia / epidemiology
References
This article includes 58 references
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