Flying-Fox Species Density - A Spatial Risk Factor for Hendra Virus Infection in Horses in Eastern Australia

Authors: Craig Smith, Chris Skelly, Nina Kung, Billie Roberts, Hume Field

Year: 2014

Journal: PLoS ONE

DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0099965

Summary

This paper investigates the relationship between flying-fox species density and reported Hendra virus infection in horses in Eastern Australia, identifying P. alecto and P. conspicillatus as likely sources of infection.

Key Findings

Significant clustering of equine cases at a distance of 40 km, suggesting flying-fox roosts as a biologically plausible basis for the clustering
Multiple equine infection hot spots along the eastern Australia coast from far north Queensland to central New South Wales
The density of P. alecto and P. conspicillatus having the strongest positive correlation with equine case locations

Methodology

Study Type: Study type not explicitly stated, but appears to be an observational study
Geographic Focus: Eastern Australia
Time Period: February 28, 2014 to June 17, 2014

Topics

Virulogy, Epidemiology

Relevance

The findings of this paper can inform risk mitigation strategies for Hendra virus infection in horses by identifying flying-fox species density as a spatial risk factor.

Source

View the entire paper: File:Pone.0099965.pdf