Hendra virus outbreak with novel clinical features, Australia.
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ABSTRACT:
SUBMITTER: Field H
PROVIDER: S-EPMC2958006 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Feb
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
Publications
Hendra virus outbreak with novel clinical features, Australia.
Field Hume H Schaaf Kylie K Kung Nina N Simon Craig C Waltisbuhl David D Hobert Heather H Moore Frederick F Middleton Deborah D Crook Allison A Smith Greg G Daniels Peter P Glanville Ron R Lovell David D
Emerging infectious diseases 20100201 2
To determine the epidemiologic and clinical features of a 2008 outbreak of Hendra virus infection in a veterinary clinic in Australia, we investigated the equine case-series. Four of 5 infected horses died, as did 1 of 2 infected staff members. Clinical manifestation in horses was predominantly neurologic. Preclinical transmission appears likely. ...[more]
Similar Datasets
Project description: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.
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