Hendra and Nipah infection: emerging paramyxoviruses

Virus Res. 2013 Nov 6;177(2):119-26. doi: 10.1016/j.virusres.2013.08.002. Epub 2013 Aug 13.

Abstract

Since their first emergence in mid 1990s henipaviruses continued to re emerge in Australia and South East Asia almost every year. In total there has been more than 12 Nipah and 48 Hendra virus outbreaks reported in South East Asia and Australia, respectively. These outbreaks are associated with significant economic and health damages that most high risks countries (particularly in South East Asia) cannot bear the burden of such economical threats. Up until recently, there were no actual therapeutics available to treat or prevent these lethal infections. However, an international collaborative research has resulted in the identification of a potential equine Hendra vaccine capable of providing antibody protection against Hendra virus infections. Consequently, with the current findings and after nearly 2 decades since their first detection, are we there yet? This review recaps the chronicle of the henipavirus emergence and briefly evaluates potential anti-henipavirus vaccines and antivirals.

Keywords: HeV; Hendra virus; Henipavirus; IFN; NiV; Nipah virus; interferon.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Communicable Diseases, Emerging / therapy
  • Communicable Diseases, Emerging / veterinary*
  • Communicable Diseases, Emerging / virology*
  • Hendra Virus / genetics
  • Hendra Virus / physiology*
  • Henipavirus Infections / epidemiology
  • Henipavirus Infections / therapy
  • Henipavirus Infections / veterinary*
  • Henipavirus Infections / virology*
  • Horse Diseases / epidemiology
  • Horse Diseases / therapy
  • Horse Diseases / virology*
  • Horses
  • Humans
  • Nipah Virus / genetics
  • Nipah Virus / physiology*