West Nile Virus and Hendra virus: Can We Learn Anything from Down Under?

Of recent times, Australia has experienced several outbreaks of equine viral disease. Equine influenza (EI) virus breached quarantine in August 2007, resulting in widespread respiratory disease and disruption to equine industries until containment and eradication of the virus. Australia was declared officially free of EI in June 2008. While Australia is one of few countries that has successfully eradicated EI, the widespread outbreak of an exotic disease was a costly reminder of the potential effect of an introduced infectious pathogen into a susceptible population. Thankfully, while the morbidity rate was high, mortality rates were low. While the EI outbreak caused great concern and media attention, Australia also experiences sporadic and unpredictable outbreaks of endemic equine viral diseases, which may result in considerable animal morbidity and mortality and are zoonotic. Topically, and of greatest importance are Hendra virus and arboviral infections, including 2 flaviviruses (Kunjin virus, Murray Valley encephalitis virus [MVEV]) and an alphavirus (Ross River virus: RRV). [...]