HERG
team members from the Queensland Department of Primary Industries in
Brisbane, Australia, recently concluded the first year of a longitudinal
study to investigate within-year and between-year variation in Hendra virus
infection in flying foxes. Photo: C. Smith.
Surveillance
involved the capture, sampling and release of flying foxes, Pteropus
poliocephalus, Pteropus scapulatus and Pteropus alecto, as they return to
their daytime roost following nightly foraging. Samples were screened for
Hendra virus using PCR (polymerase chain reaction) by co-investigators at
the Queensland Health Scientific Services Laboratories. Photo: C. Smith.
When
asked why the project was important, Dr Hume Field, Principal Investigator,
replied, "Our previous studies have primarily used antibody prevalence to
scope the species and geographic distribution and occurrence of Hendra virus
in flying fox populations. The presence of antibodies simply means that the
flying fox has been previously infected. We are now seeking to identify the
temporal pattern of actual infection and excretion of virus, and to examine
possible associations with biological or environmental factors. Further, the
study will allow us to identify routes of excretion in naturally infected
flying foxes." Dr Field said that the longitudinal study would continue for
a further 3 years. Photo: C. Smith.
Funding
for this project was provided by the National Institute of Health, Wildlife
and Exotic Disease Preparedness Program, Queensland Department of Primary
Industries and Queensland Department of Health. Photo: C. Smith.
Further information about this project can be found under Current Projects.
Author: H. Field, C. de Jong & C. Smith.