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Hendra Virus Equine Vaccine in DevelopmentBy Kentucky Equine Research Staff · May 27, 2011
Scientists have made a major breakthrough in better understanding how Hendra spreads from infected horses to other horses and humans, abc.net.au reports.This breakthrough at the Australian Animal Health Laboratory (AAHL) in Geelong, Victoria, by CSIRO Livestock Industries' scientists has led to further developments in vaccines for horses. It is now thought that there could be a vaccine available as early as next year.
Since 1994, 14 horses and seven people are known to have contracted the deadly virus. All infected horses died or were euthanized to decrease the spread of disease, and four of the people who contracted the disease died.
Due to the aggressive nature of the disease, research efforts have mainly focused on finding a vaccine rather than a treatment.
“Once a horse is actually recognized to be infected with the Hendra virus, it's too late to do anything about it from the point of view of the horse. It's a particularly aggressive disease and can kill a 600-kg Thoroughbred in 48 hours,” said CSIRO pathologist Deborah Middleton. “All human infections have come about following contact with infected horses; so using immunisation of horses we have the potential to absolutely break the chain of transmission of Hendra virus from flying foxes to horses to people.”
Australian Veterinary Association president Dr. Barry Smyth declared the prospect of a vaccine “a massive boost for the industry.
“It's great news that the hard work at CSIRO seems to have had some pretty good results,” Smyth said. “It's come to fruition a lot earlier that we might have anticipated, so I think it's a real big pat on the back for all the people that have been involved.”
