Henipaviruses-A constant threat to livestock and humans

Abstract

In this review, we highlight the risk to livestock and humans from infections with henipaviruses, which belong to the virus family Paramyxoviridae. We provide a comprehensive overview of documented outbreaks of Nipah and Hendra virus infections affecting livestock and humans and assess the burden on the economy and health systems. In an increasingly globalized and interconnected world, attention must be paid to emerging viruses and infectious diseases, as transmission routes can be rapid and worldwide.

Fig 1. Mapping emerging viral diseases.

Emerging diseases in new locations (orange) or caused by newly emerging viruses (yellow) are shown. Spread of emerging diseases are facilitated by urbanization and globalization, such as commercial air traffic and trade (with reprint permission taken from Marston and colleagues (https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/scitranslmed.3009872); [6]).

Fig 2. Schematic representation of pathogenic Henipavirus transmission from the natural host, fruit bats, to susceptible species.

Shown are supposed transmission routes: (1) from bats to bats via placental transmission, lactation, or matting; (2) fruit consumption; (3) excretion and partially eaten fruits; (4) from pig to farmer (NiV Malaysia); (5) date palm consumption (NiV Bangladesh); (6) excretion; (7) from horse to owner (HeV Australia, NiV Philippines); (8) bite, scratch, etc.; and (9) from human to human (NiV Philippines, NiV Bangladesh).