public health

Order Description

In 1994, a sudden outbreak of an acute respiratory syndrome in thoroughbred horses from a Brisbane (Australia) racing stable was identified. The syndrome was characterised by severe respiratory signs and high mortality. A previously undescribed virus of the family Paramyxoviridae, initially named equine morbillivirus, was identified as the causal agent. The virus was later renamed Hendra virus after the Brisbane suburb where the outbreak occurred. Since 1994, there have been subsequent Hendra outbreaks in Australia, which have been characterised by acute respiratory and neurological manifestations, with high levels of morbidity and mortality in the affected horses and humans.

How was the 1994 outbreak identified?
Outline the steps that were taken to identify the causative agent during this 1994 outbreak in Queensland.
Who were the major players involved?
What has been subsequently said about the approach that was taken (i.e. negative vs. positive feedback about outbreak approach?). We could also contrast and compare this to the investigation into Nipah virus which we discussed earlier in the course