Hendra virus symptoms in people Fever, cough, sore throat, headache and tiredness are common initial symptoms. Meningitis or encephalitis (inflammation of the brain) can develop, causing headache, high fever, and drowsiness, and sometimes convulsions and coma. Hendra virus infection can be fatal.
How many people has Hendra killed?
About Hendra virus Tragically 4 of the 7 people who were infected have died. Five of these people were veterinary health professionals.
Has anyone survived Hendra virus?
In Hendra (a suburb of Brisbane) in 1994, a 49-year-old horse trainer died after a fulminating pneumonic illness, and a 40-year old stable worker survived an influenza-like illness. These two cases occurred following a sudden outbreak of an acute respiratory syndrome among thoroughbred horses in a training complex.
How is Hendra virus transmitted to humans?
Transmission of Hendra virus to humans can occur after exposure to body fluids and tissues or excretions of horses infected with Hendra virus. Horses may be infected after exposure to virus in the urine of infected flying foxes. To date, no human-to-human transmission has been documented.
How did the SARS virus start?
Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) is a viral respiratory disease caused by a SARS-associated coronavirus. It was first identified at the end of February 2003 during an outbreak that emerged in China and spread to 4 other countries.
Is there a cure for Hendra virus?
There is no cure, human vaccine or specific medical treatment for Hendra virus. A vaccine for horses has been available since 2012.
When was the last case of Hendra virus?
Summary of Hendra virus incidents in horses
| Date | Location | Confirmed cases |
|---|---|---|
| August 2017 | Lismore (NSW) | 1 |
| September 2018 | Tweed Heads (NSW) | 1 |
| June 2019 | Scone, Upper Hunter Valley (NSW) | 1 |
| June 2020 | Murwillumbah (NSW) | 1 |
What are your chances of surviving Hendra virus?
Hendra virus infection in horses and humans has a high mortality rate. Approximately 80% of horses and 70% of people infected with Hendra virus die.
Where did Hendra virus come from?
Hendra virus (HeV) is a member of the family Paramyxoviridae, genus Henipavirus. HeV was first isolated in 1994 from specimens obtained during an outbreak of respiratory and neurologic disease in horses and humans in Hendra, a suburb of Brisbane, Australia.
Who has died from Hendra virus?
A south-east Queensland veterinarian has died of the Hendra virus after being infected at work several weeks ago. Dr Ben Cunneen, 33, was the senior equine vet at the Redlands Veterinary Clinic on Brisbane’s bayside.
How do you prevent Hendra virus?
Hendra virus infection can be prevented by avoiding horses that are ill or may be infected with HeV and using appropriate personal protective equipment when contact is necessary, as in veterinary procedures.
Is Hendra virus a rabies?
Hendra and Nipah viruses have been shown to be the first two members of a new genus, Henipavirus, in the family Paramyxoviridae, subfamily Paramyxovirinae, whereas Australian bat lyssavirus is closely related antigenically to classical rabies virus in the genus Lyssavirus, family Rhabdoviridae, although it can be …
How fatal is Hendra virus?
Human infection with Hendra virus has a 57% case fatality rate. All human infections have occurred from handling infected horses (both live horses and dead horses at necropsy), so great care should be taken to ensure the personal safety of all people in contact with suspect or confirmed equine cases.
How long does Hendra virus last in the environment?
Virus can survive for more than 4 days in flying fox urine at 22C, but is inactivated in less than 24 hrs in urine or fruit juice at 37C [9]. Infection in the natural host is not associated with evident clinical disease, and pre-dates infection in horses and humans [3], [10].
Can dogs catch Hendra virus?
Current knowledge indicates dogs may become infected with Hendra virus from close contact with a living or dead horse that is infected with the virus. Owners should prevent dogs from having contact with sick horses. There is no current evidence that dogs can be infected from: flying foxes.
How did the SARS virus end?
Well, SARS-CoV-1 did not burn itself out. Rather, the outbreak was largely brought under control by simple public health measures. Testing people with symptoms (fever and respiratory problems), isolating and quarantining suspected cases, and restricting travel all had an effect.
What are the 4 diseases in pandemic?
Major pandemics and epidemics such as plague, cholera, flu, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV) and Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) have already afflicted humanity. The world is now facing the new coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.
Is SARS a flu virus?
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and Alphainfluenzavirus are RNA viruses that cause coronavirus disease-19 and influenza, respectively. Both viruses infect the respiratory tract, show similar symptoms, and use surface proteins to infect the host.
Is Lyssa virus a notifiable disease?
Australian bat lyssavirus is a ‘routine’ notifiable condition and must be notified by medical practitioners and pathology services in writing within 5 days of diagnosis.
Is Hendra virus notifiable Australia?
Hendra virus is a notifiable disease in Australia. This means it’s a legal requirement to report cases of Hendra, even if there is only a suspicion of disease.
Are other Lyssaviruses found across the world?
Interestingly, no other lyssaviruses have been reported across the New World. In contrast, across the Old World, Europe, Africa, Eurasia and Australasia, whilst RABV exists in terrestrial hosts, there appears to be a complete lack of RABV in chiropteran species.
Why did Hendra virus emerge in Australia?
Hendra virus was discovered in 1994 in the Brisbane suburb of Hendra (Queensland, Australia) after an outbreak of disease affecting 21 horses in a racing stable. The horses developed high fever and acute respiratory signs, and the case-fatality rate was high.
What is the Hendra vaccine?
The vaccine is used as an aid to prevent clinical disease in horses caused by Hendra virus, and also to reduce viral shedding. Vaccination is the single most effective way of reducing the risk of Hendra virus infection in horses.
Is Hendra a zoonotic?
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.
Graduated from ENSAT (national agronomic school of Toulouse) in plant sciences in 2018, I pursued a CIFRE doctorate under contract with Sun’Agri and INRAE in Avignon between 2019 and 2022. My thesis aimed to study dynamic agrivoltaic systems, in my case in arboriculture. I love to write and share science related Stuff Here on my Website. I am currently continuing at Sun’Agri as an R&D engineer.