Update on Hendra Virus Vaccine

摘要

Following its emergence in Queenslandin 1994, Hendra virus (HeV) infectionin horses has recurred on a regularbasis with at least two disease eventsrecorded in four of the past six years.Approximately half of the outbreaks haveextended to involve humans and themortality rate in affected people is over50%. The natural reservoir for Hendravirus is the Australian flying-fox, with allfour mainland species known to harbourthe virus. However, infection of peoplehas only been recognised followingclose contact with the secretions ofdiseased horses, especially at the timeof terminal illness or during post mortemexamination of horses that have diedfrom Hendra virus infection.