Novel variant Hendra virus genotype 2 infection in a horse in the greater Newcastle region, New South Wales, Australia.
Abstract: In October 2021, the first contemporary detection of Hendra virus genotype 2 (HeV-g2) was made by veterinary priority disease investigation in a horse near Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia, as part of routine veterinary priority disease surveillance. This discovery followed an update of Hendra virus diagnostic assays following retrospective identification of this variant from 2015 via sentinel emerging infectious disease research, enabling timely detection of this case. The sole infected horse was euthanized in moribund condition. As the southernmost recognised HeV spill-over detection to date, it extends the southern limit of known cases by approximately 95 km. The event occurred near a large urban centre, characterised by equine populations of diverse type, husbandry, and purpose, with low HeV vaccination rates. Urgent multi-agency outbreak response involved risk assessment and monitoring of 11 exposed people and biosecurity management of at-risk animals. No human or additional animal cases were recognised. This One Health investigation highlights need for research on risk perception and strategic engagement to support owners confronted with the death of companion animals and potential human exposure to a high consequence virus. The location and timing of this spill-over event diverging from that established for prototype HeV (HeV-g1), highlight benefit in proactive One Health surveillance and research activities that improve understanding of dynamic transmission and spill-over risks of both HeV genotypic lineages and related but divergent emerging pathogens.
© 2022 The Authors.
Publication Date: 2022-07-29 PubMed ID: 36277112PubMed Central: PMC9582560DOI: 10.1016/j.onehlt.2022.100423Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Biosecurity
- Diagnosis
- Disease control
- Disease Diagnosis
- Disease Management
- Disease Outbreaks
- Disease Surveillance
- Disease Treatment
- Epidemiology
- Equine Diseases
- Equine Health
- Hendra Virus
- Horses
- Infection
- Infectious Disease
- Public Health
- Veterinary Care
- Veterinary Medicine
- Veterinary Research
- Veterinary Science
- Zoonotic Diseases
Summary
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The research paper discusses the first detection of a new variant of the Hendra virus in a horse, south of Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia, extending the known range of the virus by around 95 kilometers. The paper underlines the importance of vigilant monitoring and research to manage and understand the risks of such emerging pathogens.
Discovery of the New HeV Variant
In this study, the researchers made the discovery of the novel variant Hendra virus genotype 2 (HeV-g2) in a horse in October 2021. This marks the first contemporary detection of this variant, made through a veterinary priority disease investigation near Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia. This find came about as part of regular surveillance of priority diseases in veterinary science. The researchers were able to identify this variant due to recent improvements in Hendra virus diagnostic assays, achieved after the variant was retrospectively identified in 2015.
The Affected Horse and Extent of Infection
- The infected horse was in extremely poor condition and had to be euthanized.
- This incident demonstrates the most southern detection of a HeV spill-over, extending the southern limit of known Hendra virus cases by approximately 95 kilometers.
- Interestingly, the event happened near a significant urban center, which housed a wide range of horse types, purposes, and husbandry methods. The HeV vaccination rates in this region were low.
Outbreak Response and Management
- The detection of the HeV-g2 variant sparked an urgent multi-agency response. The process included a risk assessment, monitoring of 11 exposed people, and the implementation of biosecurity measures for at-risk animals.
- Despite the swift response, no additional cases in humans or animals were identified.
Importance of One Health Approach
This research underscores the effectiveness of the One Health approach, which emphasizes the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health, in tackling emerging infectious diseases. It also draws attention to the need for further research, particularly in understanding risk perception and strategizing public engagement. This research becomes particularly critical when pet owners have to deal with the death of companion animals and potential human exposure to high-risk viruses.
Significance of Ongoing Research and Surveillance
The occurrence and location of this spill-over event diverged from that of the prototype HeV (HeV-g1). This divergence underscores the benefits of proactive One Health surveillance and research endeavours that enhance understanding of the dynamic transmission and spill-over risks of both HeV genotypic lineages, as well as related but divergent emerging pathogens.
Cite This Article
APA
Taylor J, Thompson K, Annand EJ, Massey PD, Bennett J, Eden JS, Horsburgh BA, Hodgson E, Wood K, Kerr J, Kirkland P, Finlaison D, Peel AJ, Eby P, Durrheim DN.
(2022).
Novel variant Hendra virus genotype 2 infection in a horse in the greater Newcastle region, New South Wales, Australia.
One Health, 15, 100423.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.onehlt.2022.100423 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Hunter New England Local Health District, Wallsend 2287, Australia.
- University of Newcastle, School of Public Health, Medicine and Well-being, Callaghan 2308, Australia.
- Hunter New England Local Health District, Wallsend 2287, Australia.
- University of Newcastle, School of Public Health, Medicine and Well-being, Callaghan 2308, Australia.
- University of Sydney, Sydney Institute for Infectious Diseases & Sydney School of Veterinary Science, Sydney 2006, Australia.
- EquiEpiVet, Equine Veterinary and One Health Epidemiology, Aireys Inlet 3231, Australia.
- Hunter New England Local Health District, Wallsend 2287, Australia.
- New South Wales Department of Primary Industries, Orange 2800, Australia.
- University of Sydney, Sydney Institute for Infectious Diseases & Sydney School of Veterinary Science, Sydney 2006, Australia.
- Westmead Institute for Medical Research, Centre for Virus Research, Sydney 2145, Australia.
- University of Sydney, Sydney Institute for Infectious Diseases & Sydney School of Veterinary Science, Sydney 2006, Australia.
- Westmead Institute for Medical Research, Centre for Virus Research, Sydney 2145, Australia.
- Newcastle Equine Centre, Broadmeadow 2292, Australia.
- New South Wales Department of Primary Industries, Orange 2800, Australia.
- Hunter Local Land Services, Tocal 2421, Australia.
- Elizabeth Macarthur Agricultural Institute, Menangle 2568, Australia.
- Elizabeth Macarthur Agricultural Institute, Menangle 2568, Australia.
- Griffith University, Centre for Planetary Health and Food Security, Nathan 4111, Australia.
- Griffith University, Centre for Planetary Health and Food Security, Nathan 4111, Australia.
- University of New South Wales, Centre for Ecosystem Science, Kensington 2033, Australia.
- Hunter New England Local Health District, Wallsend 2287, Australia.
- University of Newcastle, School of Public Health, Medicine and Well-being, Callaghan 2308, Australia.
Conflict of Interest Statement
Authors do not have a commercial or other association that might pose a conflict of interest. De-identified data on vaccination rates were supplied by Zoetis Inc.
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This article includes 33 references
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