Hendra virus, what hope have we got?

Hendra Virus under electron microscope

Hendra virus is a relatively new and deadly disease that has emerged infecting horses and also humans.
The fruit bat is considered to be the natural host of the virus, in the right circumstances, via faeces or chewed food left by infected bats, horses ingest (eat) and become infected. These horses can become extremely ill, coming to the attention of owners and often vets before death.


Exposure to owners and vets alike poses a serious and deadly threat. Since the first case in 1994, 4 of 7 people infected with the disease has died.

In the last 17 years, seven people have been confirmed to have been infected with Hendra virus, four of whom have died as a result of the disease.
In addition to the initial case in 1994, a farmer from Mackay died in 1995 and two Queensland vets passed away in separate incidents in 2008 and 2009.
There have also been 14 clusters of Hendra virus infection recorded in horses since the virus was first identified.
In May 2011, CSIRO announced that a prototype vaccine for horses successfully prevented infection with the virus. This is important as it could break the cycle of the virus’ transmission from flying foxes to horses and then to people, as it prevents both the horse developing the disease as well as passing it on to people. source -
http://www.csiro.au/science/Hendra-Virus--ci_pageNo-1.html

Fruit bats
Bats and fruit bats are also carriers of another potentially fatal disease known as Lyssavirus. See link to more info here ( http://www.csiro.au/science/Australian-bat-lyssavirus.html




My thoughts

As a vet it is a very strange feeling to be concerned about treating patients with view to your own safety, normally human medical counterparts worry about (HIV, hepatitis etc). Sure being a vet isn't all that risk free, but most of our issues have been trauma from cranky or frightened large animals, or bites and scratches from our domestic pets. To be faced with a really fatal disease that you can't see in the workplace is just different. Thankfully this isn't a big issue for us given our treatment load is mainly domestic pets, but I do own a horse, and are asked to treat family and friends horses. I really feel for my fellow vets faced with this in their daily job.

To keep it brief and on track there are few things I would recommend to our clients;

1. Don't ever touch, pick up or go near a sick bat (Lyssavirus risk)
2. Call a vet asap if your horse is unwell or might be showing signs of Hendra virus - see fact sheet here - http://www.qldhorsecouncil.com/QHC%20Documents/Notifiable%20Diseases%20Information%20Sheets/Hendra%20Virus.pdf
3. Don't have close contact with a sick horse until given  the all clear by your vet. 

What hope have we got?

The good news is that the CSIRO has developed a vaccine for horses that has so far shown to be very effective at preventing symptoms of Hendra. It is not released yet, and may even take years to be "approved". I suspect given this months infections this trial work and approvals are likely to be fast tracked. We can only hope the incompetence and arbitrary method in which the AVPMA (Government approval body ) works can be set aside for this.

It is interesting that vets involved in the current outbreak are calling for a blanket legislation for all horses to be vaccinated with this new vaccine when it is approved. This would be a significant change to any animal policy within Australia, with logistical nightmares. Ideally that would be fantastic, but unfortunately it is unlikely to come about.

Here is a link to the ABC scientific program Catalyst, if you have the time, well worth a view
http://www.abc.net.au/catalyst/stories/2500895.htm

Stay Safe.
Dr Steve Rose
Animal Doctors