Hendra dog leaves scientist stumped

Tue, 26 Jul 2011

Scientists are now trying to figure out whether the Hendra virus can be transmitted to humans from canines after the first dog to contract the virus was reported.

The dog tested positive to the Hendra virus on Monday, unfortunately the dog has been taken from its owners and will soon be put down as stated under Australian national Hendra guidelines.

Scientists are particularly interested in whether humans can contract the virus as three horses have been reported to have died of the virus in late June and now a dog has contracted the virus. Furthermore, one of the horses that passed away as a result of the virus is said to have infected the dog. Then again, the only known animals to be able to contract the virus to date have been bats, horses and humans.

However, scientists are trying to figure out that if the transmission of the virus to a dog indicated a change, an evolution in the way the virus is transmitted.

Nonetheless, the dog that has contracted the virus has a very low risk of transmitting the disease and humans will need to be exposed to large amounts of the virus in order to become unwell.

Health officers are reported to be visiting the property on Tuesday in order to assess whether or not people have had contact with the infected dog.

Further scientific research has shown the virus can be contracted by numerous other animals including cats, guinea pigs, hamsters, ferrets, pigs and dogs, but this is the first case of an actual transmission in natural conditions.

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