Human Hendra virus encephalitis associated with equine outbreak, Australia, 2008.
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.
Playford
Elliott G
EG
Pathology Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
McCall
Brad
B
Smith
Greg
G
Slinko
Vicki
V
Allen
George
G
Smith
Ina
I
Moore
Frederick
F
Taylor
Carmel
C
Kung
Yu Hsin
YH
Field
Hume
H
D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D016358:Contact Tracing; D004196:Disease Outbreaks / Q000662:veterinary*; D004660:Encephalitis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000662:veterinary / Q000821:virology*; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D005260:Female; D045404:Hendra Virus; D045464:Henipavirus Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000635:transmission / Q000662:veterinary*; D006734:Horse Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000821:virology; D006736:Horses; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011793:Queensland / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult