Hennepavirus is a capsular, single-stranded, negative-stranded RNA virus, a zoonotic virus, belonging to the genus Hennepavirus.
Hennepavirus is one of the few zoonotic viruses in the family Paramyxoviridae. It can cause serious diseases in humans, horses, pigs, cats, dogs and other animals. It primarily attacks the brain or respiratory tract, causing neuroencephalitis or and respiratory disease.
Flu-like symptoms such as fever, headache, vomiting, and sore throat occur 3 to 14 days after exposure to the virus. Neurologic symptoms such as dizziness, drowsiness, and confusion can follow within 1 to 2 days. Severe cases may even fall into coma within 1 to 2 days. Without prompt symptomatic treatment, the mortality rate is close to 100%. Neurologic dysfunction is also often present in healed patients.
The virus can be diagnosed by immunohistochemistry, immunoelectron microscopy, serum neutralization test, ELISA method, PCR technique, etc. PCR technique is highly sensitive and facilitates early detection of the virus.
There are no drugs or vaccines for the treatment of Henipaviruses, and the mainstay of treatment is symptomatic supportive care. Gloves and protective equipment should be worn when caring for an infected person.