Novel Hendra Virus Variant Circulating in Black Flying Foxes and Grey-Headed Flying Foxes, Australia.

Alison J Peel Claude Kwe Yinda Edward J Annand Adrienne S Dale Peggy Eby John-Sebastian Eden Devin N Jones Maureen K Kessler Tamika J Lunn Tim Pearson Jonathan E Schulz Ina L Smith Vincent J Munster Raina K Plowright Bat One Health Group

Abstract

A novel Hendra virus variant, genotype 2, was recently discovered in a horse that died after acute illness and in Pteropus flying fox tissues in Australia. We detected the variant in flying fox urine, the pathway relevant for spillover, supporting an expanded geographic range of Hendra virus risk to horses and humans.

Supporting text Virus Host Location
bats 46 emerging infections 2 flying foxes 5 Hendra virus 44 henipavirus 30 Pteropus 7 reservoir host 7 viruses 117 zoonoses 477 Chiroptera 371 Hendra Virus 39 Henipavirus Infections 65 Animals 1948 Australia 28 Horses 52

Evidence records

4 total
Zoonotic Surveillance
4 records · 2 evidence types
Evidence type
3 records
OVE5868
Key finding

Hendra virus variant genotype 2 was detected in tissues of a horse with acute illness in Australia.

Virus
Host
Location
Supporting text

A novel Hendra virus variant, genotype 2, was recently discovered in a horse that died after acute illness in Australia.

Method
viral genome detection | sequencing
Sample type
tissues
Geographic raw
Australia
Country inferred
AUS
OVE5869
Key finding

Hendra virus variant genotype 2 was detected in tissues of Pteropus flying foxes in Australia.

Virus
Host
Location
Supporting text

A novel Hendra virus variant, genotype 2, was recently discovered in Pteropus flying fox tissues in Australia.

Method
viral genome detection | sequencing
Sample type
tissues
Geographic raw
Australia
Country inferred
AUS
OVE5870
Key finding

Hendra virus variant genotype 2 was detected in flying fox urine.

Virus
Host
Location
Not specified
Supporting text

We detected the variant in flying fox urine, the pathway relevant for spillover.

Method
viral genome detection | molecular assay
Sample type
urine
Evidence type
1 records
OVE5871
Key finding

Hendra virus variant genotype 2 was detected in flying fox urine in Australia, supporting a role of these bats in viral circulation and potential spillover pathways to horses and humans.

Virus
Host
Location
Supporting text

A novel Hendra virus variant, genotype 2, was recently discovered in a horse that died after acute illness and in Pteropus flying fox tissues in Australia.

Method
virus detection in environmental samples
Sample type
urine
Geographic raw
Australia
Country inferred
AUS