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Pathogen Page

Hendra virus

I. General Information

1. NCBI Taxonomy ID:

2. Disease:

Hendra virus disease

3. Introduction

Hendra virus (formerly called equine morbillivirus) is a member of the family Paramyxoviridae. The virus 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. The natural reservoir for Hendra virus is thought to be flying foxes (bats of the genus Pteropus) found in Australia.

Only three human cases of Hendra virus disease have been recognized. Two of the three individuals known to be infected had a respiratory illness with severe flu-like signs and symptoms. One of the three Hendra virus infections was marked by a delayed onset of progressive encephalitis and two of the three human patients infected with Hendra virus died (CDC: Hendra virus).

4. Host Ranges and Animal Models

Hendra virus (HeV) is a highly pathogenic paramyxoviruses that continues to cause morbidity and mortality in animals and humans. Flying foxes in the genus Pteropus are considered to be the natural reservoir for both viruses and their geographic distribution encompasses all locations where HeV outbreaks have occurred. HeV has appeared sporadically in Australia since 1994 where infection has been predominantly in horses, although human infection has also occurred (McEachern et al., 2008).

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