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Hendra virus ecology and transmission
1EcoHealth Alliance, New York, NY, USA.
Current Opinion in Virology
|March 16, 2016
Summary
Hendra virus, a fatal pathogen, primarily spreads from flying-foxes to horses via urine. Understanding this transmission is key to preventing infections in horses and humans, despite a new horse vaccine.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Virology
- Zoonotic Disease Ecology
Background:
- Hendra virus causes severe, fatal illness in horses and humans.
- Pteropid bats (flying-foxes) are the natural reservoir, with infection risk influenced by bat age and species.
- Urine is the main excretion route for Hendra virus in flying-foxes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To elucidate the transmission dynamics of Hendra virus between flying-foxes, horses, and humans.
- To identify key risk factors and routes for Hendra virus inter-species transmission.
- To inform strategies for preventing Hendra virus outbreaks.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on Hendra virus ecology and transmission.
- Analysis of viral RNA detection in different flying-fox species and seasons.
- Evaluation of documented transmission pathways from flying-foxes to horses and humans.
Main Results:
- Hendra virus RNA is more frequently detected in *Pteropus alecto* and *P. conspicillatus* species, with excretion peaking in winter in some areas.
- Horizontal transmission is the primary mode in flying-foxes; transmission to horses is most likely through contact with infected urine (direct or environmental).
- Horse-to-horse transmission is inefficient; human cases stem from contact with infected horses, not flying-foxes.
Conclusions:
- Effective Hendra virus control requires understanding its ecological cycle and transmission routes, particularly flying-fox to horse.
- Preventing environmental contamination with flying-fox urine is crucial for mitigating equine and human exposure.
- While a horse vaccine exists, ongoing ecological surveillance and transmission studies remain vital for disease prevention.
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