Landscape Utilisation, Animal Behaviour and Hendra Virus Risk

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Virology
• Wildlife Ecology
• Epidemiology

Background:

• Hendra virus causes fatal disease in horses and humans in Australia.
• Pteropid bats (flying-foxes) are the natural reservoir hosts.
• The transmission route from flying-foxes to horses remains unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate landscape utilization by flying-foxes and horses using GPS data loggers.
• To assess potential equine exposure risks to Hendra virus.
• To explore the role of animal behavior and landscape use in virus transmission dynamics.

Main Methods:

• Utilized GPS data logger technology to track black flying-foxes and horses.
• Analyzed landscape utilization patterns and foraging behavior of flying-foxes.
• Examined diurnal and nocturnal grazing behavior of horses.

Main Results:

• Flying-fox foraging behavior was repetitious, with a preference for fragmented landscapes and non-native plants near rural infrastructure.
• Horses showed significant variations in diurnal and nocturnal grazing behavior.
• No significant individual horse movement behavior linked to direct risk was identified in this preliminary study.

Conclusions:

• Observed flying-fox and horse behaviors suggest potential opportunities for Hendra virus transmission.
• Further investigation into animal behavior and landscape utilization is warranted to understand transmission dynamics.
• Understanding these factors is crucial for mitigating Hendra virus risk in equine populations.