New variant of deadly Hendra virus found in flying foxes

A new study by Australian scientists reports the discovery of a new Hendra virus in the urine of Australian bats and flying foxes. An article about him was recently published in magazineNovel Hendra Virus Variant Circulating in Black Flying Foxes and Grey-Headed Flying Foxes, Australia Emerging Infectious Diseases.

• Hendra is a deadly virus carried by bats, but also transmitted to horses and humans.
• The virus was first discovered in 1994, when it caused the death of thirteen horses and one person.
• Symptoms range in severity, from classic flu-like symptoms to fatal respiratory and neurological illnesses.
• According to previous researchHendra Virus Infection Dynamics in Australian Fruit Bats, mortality among humans reaches 60%, and among horses - 75%.
• There are currently no drugs or vaccines to treat Hendra virus infection. The main approach in treatment is intensive supportive care based on symptoms.

So far, the Hendra virus has been seen only in Australia, namely on the east coast of the mainland around Brisbane and Queensland. However, the new option expands the potential geographic risk by suggesting that flying foxes may act as hawkers.

A recent study states that a recently deceased horse, which succumbed specifically to the Hendra virus, tested negative for known variants of the infection. Only after updating the tests to a new variant, called HeV-g2, a positive result was recorded.

When compared with urine samples taken from a flying fox, the variant showed 99 percent similarity. This suggests that the virus probably made an interspecies jump, note researchers.

Now scientists are going to monitor the spread of HeV-g2 more closely in order to improve animal care recommendations to prevent human cases. How dangerous the virus can be in the future remains to be seen.