HENIPAVIRUS

Overview & Facts

Henipaviruses can cause severe illness among humans and horses. It belongs to a family of paramyxoviruses. These viruses are believed to be carried by fruit bats and probably transmitted to horses (their intermediate hosts) through ingestion of infected food or drinks.

The Hendra virus (HeV) and the Nipah virus (NiV) are two of the species under this virus. Transmission of HeV to man occurs through close contact with infected horses, probably through their respiratory secretions and urine. NiV is carried from pigs, which are the main intermediate hosts, and maybe passed to humans through aerosols, or direct contact with infected respiratory secretions, saliva or urine, or surfaces contaminated by these secretions. Pigs may have acquired the infection by ingesting fruits that are half-eaten by bats. Dogs, cats, horses and goats are other possible intermediate hosts for this virus.

Types & Symptoms

The manifestation of the disease usually last in 4-20 days or 5-12 days. Symptoms may include:

  • Fever with Acute Encephalitis or
  • Acute Influenza-Like Illness Leading to Severe Respiratory Illness or as Meningitis

Encephalitis in HeV infection presents as:

  • Motor Weakness
  • Confusion and Disorientation
  • Seizures

Symptoms in NiVinfection may include:

  • Fever
  • Vomiting
  • Headache
  • Dizziness and Loss of Consciousness
  • Rising Heart Rates or Blood Pressure
  • Kidney Impairment
  • Bleeding from the Gastrointestinal Tract
  • Septicaemia
  • Convulsions

The mortality ranges from 40-70% for NiV infection, and 50% with HeV. It is highest among those with acute encephalitis. Survivors may have believed to have severe residual disabilities like:

  • Incoordination
  • Muscular Weakness
  • Difficulty with Thought Processing and Mental Functions
  • Paralysis of the Eye Muscles
  • Resultant Visual Problems

Diagnosis & Medications

DIAGNOSIS

To diagnose Henipavirus, the doctor might perform different lab tests to detect if specific antibodies to Hendra and Nipah viruses, in blood and cerebrospinal fluid are present. Antibodies develop in 2-3 weeks and last for up to 3 months.

 

TREATMENT

The treatment is basically used to help relieve the symptoms. No vaccines or antiviral drug has been developed so far to treat the infection for humans.

 

PREVENTION

Ensure a HeV vaccine to all horses in risk situations. Precautions may also include minimizing its contact with fruit bats, isolation of sick animals, precautions against direct contact with infected secretions and excretions and extensive culling of animals confirmed to have the infection.

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