not birds but...Flying Foxes in Commonwealth Park

[Chris <>]

Hi Peter,

The Hendra virus is not known to be transmissible from bats to humans. All known cases humans have caught the virus from horses (which caught it from bats). There is now a vaccine for horses so in theory no one should ever have to catch the virus again.

I understand there is also a thought that fruit bats are not the usual vector for Hendra and it may actually be microbats, but that was told to me by someone rather than being something I've read directly.

Cheers,

Chris

Sent from my iPhone

On 11/01/2013, at 3:00 PM, "Peter Ormay" <> wrote:

Dear Marg,

 

The disease that you refer to that can be transmitted by being bitten or scratched by Flying Foxes (or micro bats) is Lissa virus which is similar to rabies. 

 

 What I'm concerned about is Hendra virus which is known to have killed 4 humans who were associated with horses that are believed to have been infected by Flying Foxes via their faeces. As far as I know no humans have been infected directly by Flying Foxes via their faeces but I wouldn't like to be the first one. Children playing under the roost trees could easily come in contact with it and ingest a tiny amount by not washing their hands properly before eating. Have there been any tests done to determine how susceptible humans are infection by Hendra virus from bat droppings?  Is there any guarantee that the risk is zero or are we running an experiment without the subject's knowledge waiting to see who will be the unlucky person?

 

Regards

        Peter