Hendra Virus Disease (HeV)

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Hendra virus (HeV) is a member of the family Paramyxoviridae, genus Henipavirus.  HeV was first isolated in 1994 from specimens obtained during an outbreak of respiratory and neurologic disease in horses and humans in Hendra, a suburb of Brisbane, Australia. It is related to Nipah virus, another species in the genus Henipavirus.

The natural reservoir for Hendra virus has since been identified as the flying fox (bats of the genus Pteropus).

Since 1994 and as of 2013, Hendra virus infections in humans remain rare; only seven cases have been reported.

Transmission

People can become infected through contact with an infected horse...

Signs and Symptoms

Symptoms may appear 9-16 days after exposure to Hendra virus...

Risk of Exposure

People at highest risk are those living within the distribution of the flying foxes…

Diagnosis

Various laboratory tests are used to diagnose Hendra virus...

Treatment

Ribavirin has been shown to be effective against Hendra virus in vitro...

Prevention

Hendra virus infection can be prevented by avoiding horses that are ill or may be infected with HeV...

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Page last reviewed: August 12, 2022
Content source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases (NCEZID), Division of High-Consequence Pathogens and Pathology (DHCPP), Viral Special Pathogens Branch (VSPB)