Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Human Hendra virus encephalitis associated with equine outbreak, Australia, 2008.
- Journal:
- Emerging infectious diseases
- Year:
- 2010
- Authors:
- Playford, Elliott G et al.
- Affiliation:
- Pathology Queensland · Australia
- Species:
- horse
Plain-English summary
In 2008, there was an outbreak of the Hendra virus at a veterinary clinic in Brisbane, Australia, which affected five horses and two people. Unlike earlier outbreaks where horses mainly showed breathing problems, these horses had signs of brain inflammation. After being exposed to the infected horses, both people developed flu-like symptoms followed by brain inflammation, and sadly, one of them died. They were treated with a medication called ribavirin, but the levels in their blood and spinal fluid were lower than needed for effective treatment. This outbreak highlights the serious risks that the Hendra virus poses to both animal and human health.
Abstract
A recent Hendra virus outbreak at a veterinary clinic in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia, involved 5 equine and 2 human infections. In contrast to previous outbreaks, infected horses had predominantly encephalitic, rather than respiratory, signs. After an incubation period of 9-16 days, influenza-like illnesses developed in the 2 persons before progressing to encephalitis; 1 died. Both patients were given ribavirin. Basal serum and cerebrospinal fluid levels were 10-13 mg/L after intravenous administration and 6 mg/L after oral administration (isolate 90% inhibitory concentration 64 mg/L). Both patients were exposed to infected horses, 1 during the late incubation period in a horse. The attack rate for veterinary clinic staff exposed to infected horses was 10%. An isolate from this outbreak showed genetic heterogeneity with isolates from a concurrent, but geographically remote, outbreak and from previous outbreaks. Emergence of Hendra virus is a serious medical, veterinary, and public health challenge.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20113550/