'Medical University Prof. Dr. Paraskev Stoyanov - Varna'
Doi
Abstract
Over the last two decades, data has been accumulated for zoonotic paramyxoviruses, also affecting human pathology. Of greatest importance are the two species of genus Henipavirus of family Paramyxoviridae – Hendra virus (HeV) and Nipah virus (NiV), that cause severe and lethal infections in humans and animals, for which they have been classified as class C bioterrorism agents by the CDC. Our goal is to research and study scientific medical publications on epidemiology and the medico-social significance of these two little known viruses. To achieve this, we used the documentary method by studying full-text scientific publications.Both the Hendra and Nipah viruses have a restricted range of distribution and are mainly found in animals, most often in fruit bats (flying foxes, megabats), pigs and horses. In the period from 1994 to 2009 only seven cases of human Hendra virus infection have been documented, while the Nipah virus has a more prominent virulence towards humans and has caused numerous cases and almost annual epidemics in Malaysia and India. The knowledge and public awareness of newly emergent viral infections is important for their control and the creation of effective measures for the prevention of their spread
