Is Hendra virus notifiable?

Hendra virus is a notifiable disease in Australia. This means it’s a legal requirement to report cases of Hendra, even if there is only a suspicion of disease.

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.

Can humans survive Hendra virus?

This type of illness is called a zoonotic disease. The cases reported in Australia have all been in people who had close contact with infected horses. Without prompt medical treatment, the complications of Hendra virus can be fatal. There is no cure, human vaccine or specific medical treatment for Hendra virus.

How many people have gotten Hendra virus?

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…

Do bats carry Hendra virus?

Hendra virus is a virus that mainly infects large fruit bats (flying foxes) which can be passed on to horses. The infection has occasionally been passed onto people who have been in close contact with an infected horse.

How contagious is Hendra virus?

Although there is no evidence of Hendra virus spreading from an infected person to another person or animal, health care workers will take a cautious approach and wear personal protective equipment when caring for people suspected or confirmed to be infected.

Can Hendra survive outside the host?

Hendra virus is a fragile RNA virus which does not survive for very long (hours or days) outside the animal host.

Can humans catch Hendra from horses?

Hendra virus is a virus that infects large fruit bats (flying foxes). Occasionally the virus can spread from flying foxes to horses and horses can then pass the infection on to humans. A small number of people who had very close contact with infected horses have developed Hendra virus infection.

Do fruit bats carry Hendra virus?

Hendra virus is a virus that infects large fruit bats (flying foxes). Occasionally the virus can spread from flying foxes to horses and horses can then pass the infection on to humans.

Why did Hendra virus emerge in Australia?

Hendra Virus Disease (HeV) 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.