What are the symptoms of Hendra virus?
Hendra virus symptoms in people Fever, cough, sore throat, headache and tiredness are common initial symptoms. Meningitis or encephalitis (inflammation of the brain) can develop, causing headache, high fever, and drowsiness, and sometimes convulsions and coma. Hendra virus infection can be fatal.
How does the Hendra virus affect the body?
Hendra virus tends to attack either the respiratory system (lungs) or the nervous system (brain). In Australia, fatal complications have included: septic pneumonia – severe lung infection involving pus, abscesses and destruction of lung tissue.
What occupation was at highest risk of Hendra virus infection in Australia?
People at highest risk are those living within the distribution of the flying foxes and with occupational or recreational exposure to horses that have had potential contact with flying foxes in Australia.
What disease does Hendra cause?
Hendra virus (HeV) infection is a rare emerging zoonosis (disease that can be transmitted to humans from animals) that causes severe and often fatal disease in both infected horses and humans. The natural host of the virus has been identified as being fruit bats of the Pteropodidae Family, Pteropus genus.
What are the symptoms of Nipah virus?
Symptoms of Nipah virus usually show up within 4 to 14 days of exposure and include:
- Fever.
- Headache.
- Cough.
- Sore throat.
- Trouble breathing.
- Vomiting.
Why did Hendra virus emerge in Australia?
Hendra virus was discovered in 1994 in the Brisbane suburb of Hendra (Queensland, Australia) after an outbreak of disease affecting 21 horses in a racing stable. The horses developed high fever and acute respiratory signs, and the case-fatality rate was high.
How do you prevent Hendra virus?
Hendra virus infection can be prevented by avoiding horses that are ill or may be infected with HeV and using appropriate personal protective equipment when contact is necessary, as in veterinary procedures.
How long does Hendra virus last in the environment?
Virus can survive for more than 4 days in flying fox urine at 22°C, but is inactivated in less than 24 hrs in urine or fruit juice at 37°C [9]. Infection in the natural host is not associated with evident clinical disease, and pre-dates infection in horses and humans [3], [10].
How many humans have had Hendra virus?
The natural reservoir for Hendra virus has since been identified as the flying fox (bats of the genus Pteropus). Since 1994 and as of 2013, Hendra virus infections in humans remain rare; only seven cases have been reported. People can become infected through contact with an infected horse…
What happens if you get Nipah virus?
In some people, the virus can cause dormant or latent infections. This means symptoms or death could happen months or even years after contact with the virus. Most people with Nipah who survive encephalitis make a full recovery. Some may have long-term side effects such as convulsions or personality changes.
What is the treatment for Nipah virus?
Currently there are no licensed treatments available for Nipah virus (NiV) infection. Treatment is limited to supportive care, including rest, hydration, and treatment of symptoms as they occur.