Overview
Hendra virus infection is a rare but serious disease caused by the Hendra virus (HeV), a member of the Paramyxoviridae family. The virus was first identified in 1994 in Hendra, a suburb of Brisbane, Australia, after an outbreak that affected both horses and humans. Flying foxes (fruit bats) are the natural hosts of the virus, and horses serve as the main intermediate host. Humans typically become infected through close contact with sick or dead horses that carry the virus, not directly from bats. The disease can affect the body in two main ways: it can cause severe respiratory illness with fluid buildup in the lungs, or it can cause inflammation of the brain (encephalitis). Symptoms usually begin 5 to 21 days after exposure and may include fever, cough, sore throat, headache, and fatigue. In severe cases, the infection can rapidly progress to pneumonia, seizures, coma, and death. The fatality rate in humans is very high, estimated at over 50% of confirmed cases. There is currently no specific antiviral treatment approved for Hendra virus infection in humans. Treatment is mainly supportive, focusing on managing symptoms and keeping the patient stable in an intensive care setting. An experimental monoclonal antibody called m102.4 has been used on a compassionate basis in some cases. A vaccine exists for horses (Equivac HeV) to help prevent transmission to humans, but no human vaccine is currently available. Prevention relies heavily on avoiding contact with sick horses and using proper protective equipment when handling potentially infected animals.
Key symptoms:
High feverSevere headacheCough and sore throatDifficulty breathingMuscle aches and body painFatigue and general weaknessConfusion or disorientationSeizuresDrowsiness progressing to comaFluid buildup in the lungs (pneumonia)Brain swelling (encephalitis)DizzinessNausea
Sporadic
Usually appears on its own, not inherited from a parent
Adult
Begins in adulthood (age 18 or older)
FDA & Trial Timeline
1 eventUniversità Vita-Salute San Raffaele — NA
Data sourced from FDA regulatory filings and ClinicalTrials.gov. Updated periodically.
Treatments
No FDA-approved treatments are currently listed for Hendra virus infection.
View clinical trials →Clinical Trials
View all trials with filters →No actively recruiting trials found for Hendra virus infection at this time.
New trials open frequently. Follow this disease to get notified.
Rare Disease Specialist
Treatment Centers
8 centersBaylor College of Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🏥 NORDStanford Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Stanford Medicine
📍 Stanford, CA
🔬 UDNNIH Clinical Center Undiagnosed Diseases Program ↗
National Institutes of Health
📍 Bethesda, MD
🔬 UDNUCLA UDN Clinical Site ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
🔬 UDNBaylor College of Medicine UDN Clinical Site ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🔬 UDNHarvard/MGH UDN Clinical Site ↗
Massachusetts General Hospital
📍 Boston, MA
🏥 NORDMayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine ↗
Mayo Clinic
📍 Rochester, MN
👤 Mayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine
🏥 NORDUCLA Rare Disease Day Program ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
Travel Grants
No travel grants are currently matched to Hendra virus infection.
Community
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Start the conversation →Latest news about Hendra virus infection
Disease timeline:
New trial: COVID-19 Patients Characterization, Biobank, Treatment Response and Outcome Predictor
Phase NA trial recruiting. Observational Study
Caregiver Resources
NORD Caregiver Resources
Support, advocacy, and financial assistance for caregivers of rare disease patients.
Mental Health Support
Rare disease caregiving can be isolating. Connect with counseling and peer support.
Family & Caregiver Grants
Financial assistance programs specifically for caregivers of rare disease patients.
Social Security Disability
Learn how rare disease patients may qualify for SSDI/SSI benefits.
Questions for your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment
- Q1.What is the current status of the experimental antibody treatment (m102.4), and is it available for my case?,What long-term neurological effects should I watch for after recovery?,How long will I need to be monitored after leaving the hospital?,Is there any risk of the infection coming back or relapsing?,What precautions should my family and close contacts take?,Are there any clinical trials or new treatments being developed for Hendra virus?,When can I safely return to work, especially if I work with horses?
Common questions about Hendra virus infection
What is Hendra virus infection?
Hendra virus infection is a rare but serious disease caused by the Hendra virus (HeV), a member of the Paramyxoviridae family. The virus was first identified in 1994 in Hendra, a suburb of Brisbane, Australia, after an outbreak that affected both horses and humans. Flying foxes (fruit bats) are the natural hosts of the virus, and horses serve as the main intermediate host. Humans typically become infected through close contact with sick or dead horses that carry the virus, not directly from bats. The disease can affect the body in two main ways: it can cause severe respiratory illness with fl
How is Hendra virus infection inherited?
Hendra virus infection follows a sporadic inheritance pattern. Genetic counseling can help families understand recurrence risk and testing options.
At what age does Hendra virus infection typically begin?
Typical onset of Hendra virus infection is adult. Age of onset can vary across affected individuals.
Which specialists treat Hendra virus infection?
2 specialists and care centers treating Hendra virus infection are listed on UniteRare, sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov principal investigators, published research, and the NPPES NPI registry.