What is Henipavirus infection?
It presents as fever with acute encephalitis, or as an acute influenza-like illness leading to severe respiratory illness, or as meningitis. The mortality ranges from 40-70% for NiV infection, and 50% with HeV. It is highest among those with acute encephalitis.
What are signs of virus?
Watch for Symptoms
- Fever or chills.
- Cough.
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing.
- Fatigue.
- Muscle or body aches.
- Headache.
- New loss of taste or smell.
- Sore throat.
What does the Hendra virus do?
Hendra virus can cause a range of symptoms in horses. Usually there is a rapid onset of illness, fever, increased heart rate and rapid deterioration with respiratory and/or neurological (nervous system) signs.
What type of virus is Hendra virus?
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.
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.
Can humans survive Hendra virus?
Most outbreaks have occurred in Queensland, and some in northern New South Wales. Some outbreaks have involved humans, with seven confirmed human cases, including four deaths. The human case-fatality rate is 60 per cent, although the disease is rare.
Why Q fever is called Q fever?
Q fever is… …an infectious disease caused by bacteria called Coxiella burnetii that affects both humans and animals. The “Q” comes from “query” fever, the name of the disease until its true cause was discovered in the 1930s. Q fever can be a mild illness or a more severe disease that can cause death.
What are the symptoms of Hendra virus in humans?
Humans can become infected with Hendra virus. Reported human cases of the illness have occurred in people who had close contact with clinically ill horses. Signs of disease in people include flu-like signs (fever, body aches, respiratory symptoms, such as coughing, sore throat).
Who 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.
What is henipavirus and why is it dangerous?
Henipaviruses are naturally harboured by pteropid fruit bats (flying foxes) and microbats of several species. Henipaviruses are characterised by long genomes and a wide host range. Their recent emergence as zoonotic pathogens capable of causing illness and death in domestic animals and humans is a cause of concern.
What are the signs and symptoms of Hendra virus infection?
Both Hendra and Nipah virus infections can cause a severe influenzalike illness with fever, myalgia, headache, and dizziness. This may progress to severe encephalitis with confusion, abnormal reflexes, seizures, and coma; respiratory symptoms may also be present.
What are the signs and symptoms of Nipah virus infection?
Signs and Symptoms. Long-term sequelae following Nipah virus infection have been noted, including persistent convulsions and personality changes. Latent infections with subsequent reactivation of Nipah virus and death have also been reported months and even years after exposure.
What are the natural hosts of henipaviruses?
Fruit bats (Pteropus species, also called ‘flying foxes’) are the natural hosts of henipaviruses. The Hendra virus is probably transmitted to horses, which are the main intermediate hosts, through the ingestion of food contaminated with the droppings, urine or other excretions of infected fruit bats.