Hendra Virus infection in horses

Hendra virus infection is an emerging viral disease of horses and humans in Australia. Although this disease is uncommon, cases have been reported periodically since it was first recognized in 1994

Hendra Virus is a zoonotic disease; that is the disease can be transmitted from horses to humans during close contact with an infected horse. Hendra virus is a zoonotic disease that can be transmitted from horses to humans.

Etiology
Hendra virus (HeV) is a member of the genus Henipavirus in the family Paramyxoviridae. This genus includes the closely related Nipah virus.


Transmission
Horses and humans seem to be spillover hosts for Hendra virus. Bats of the genus Pteropus (fruit bats/ flying foxes) appear to be the reservoir hosts.
In flying foxes, Hendra virus has been isolated from blood, fetal tissues and uterine fluids, and unpublished research also reports the virus in urine, feces and saliva

Clinical Signs
Two syndromes, one characterized primarily by respiratory disease and the other mainly by neurological signs, have been reported in horses

• Fever
  
• Lethargy
  
• Respiratory distress
  
• Frothy nasal discharge
• Increased heart rate
  
• Increased respiratory rate
  
• Jaundice

Treatment and prevention

• These is no specific antiviral drugs available
  
• Vaccination is the best defense against Hendra virus infection and horse owners should discuss their options with their veterinarian
• Horse feed and water troughs should be relocated to areas away from where bats feed or roost.
• Culling of infected animals
• Sick horses should be isolated
• Protective mask,gloves, eyewears should be worn when handling sick animals.