Hendra Virus in Animals and Humans.

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One thing that animal lovers are usually very scared of, is the possibility of a zoonotic disease, that could spread from animals to humans, One such virus is what I will be writing about, and sharing with you friends, I hope you find it educating.
Hendra virus is one of the zoonotic diseases that affects an infected horse and can be passed from the animal infected to humans. Hendra virus (HeV) was discovered first in the year 1994, after a Queensland horse trainer in the Brisbane suburb of Hendra, from a disease outbreak, where 21 horses were affected alongside two humans.

Hendra virus belongs to the Paramyxovirus family, with the genus Henipavirus, with other members of the genus family including; Nipah virus and Cedar virus. During its first discovery, it was called other names such as; equine morbillivirus.

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Despite the existence of a vaccine, a second genotype of Hendra virus was reported in Australia in 2021, this time around it was in a sick horse near Newcastle, New South Wales (NSW) in October 2021. While it is a rare disease, the death rate especially in horses is very high, with over 70 percent cases in horses. Hendra virus infection causes a rapidly fatal illness, creating high symptoms and clinical signs.

The horses and humans affected developed a highly severe respiratory disease that was unidentified, which led to the death of one of the humans involved, and the death of 14 out of the affected horses. When there is no prompt or immediate medical treatment, there would be a fatal case of Hendra virus, where there is no cure for either the human vaccine or the Hendra vaccine, but the vaccine has been made available since 2012.

It was after the Brisbane suburb where the virus first occurred that it was named Hendra virus, then in 1995, a Mackay farmer and an horse breeder was the second recorded death that happened in 2008, afterwards, there was a recorded death of a vet after he caught the infection from horses in Queensland, there has been four (4) reported death cases in Australia up till date.

The best method to avoid the spread of the virus is through the avoidance with an infected horse, At a point when there is a noticed sick horse, it is smart to instantly seek help from a veterinarian, about the presence of Hendra virus or not. Signs of Hendra virus include; depression, fever, increased heart rate, weakness, and difficulty breathing. There are also neurological signs such as; aimless walking, head tilting, muscle twitching, high temperature, uncoordinated gait, and apparent loss of vision.

Apart from vaccination, the risk of infection spread can also be minimized through;

The practice of good hygiene and clean practices.
The isolation of new horses.
The removal of horse feed and water containers from places where flying foxes could be feeding or roosting.
Fast/immediate isolation of a sick horse while awaiting veterinary attention.

In humans, symptoms like; dizziness, sore throat, dry cough, fever, headache, inability to breathe adequately, unusual sleepiness, and confusion. Hendra virus usually creates an attack on the respiratory system or the nervous system. Fatal complications usually lead to;
Septic pneumonia and encephalitis.

The transmission of the Hendra virus to humans happens after exposure to tissues, body fluids, or excretions of horses. Horses could get infected after there has been exposure to the virus in the urine of infected flying foxes. ''Ribavirin'', is a drug that has been shown to be highly effective against the virus in vitro, but the clinical usefulness of this drug has remained uncertain.

Exposure to the Hendra virus doesn't always result in infection. In a case of infection, the incubation phase often ranges from 5-16 days, While it can be passed from animals to humans, it cannot exactly be passed on from one human to another. Those who are more at risk of this infection are; strappers, feed delivery merchants, veterinarians and veterinary assistants, feed delivery merchants, equine dentists, stud workers, and horse owners.

In order to diagnose the Hendra virus, tests include; blood tests, physical examination, medical history, as well as the biopsy of infected tissue.
The available vaccination is to help horses from getting the virus, but in humans, good hygiene practices are usually the best form of defense;

Washing of the hands constantly with soap and water especially after handling a horse.
Complete avoidance of contact with a sick horse.
Put on protective items like gloves and goggles at any point of contact with a sick horse.
Avoid contact with secretions, even when the horse is dead.
Humans are advised to refrain from kissing horses on surfaces like the muzzle and on the side of the face.
Contact your vet consistently about the vaccination of horses.
Wash and dry every contaminated region with soap and water, upon contact with secretion.

There is no current cure or specific treatment for the Hendra virus, but there are available treatments that are aimed at easing symptoms and reducing the risk of complications.

Conclusion.

That there is no current vaccine for Hendra infection in humans, is a call for extreme care and extra carefulness. Proper personal hygiene, alongside adequate vaccination for farm animals, will greatly reduce the risk and spread of infection.