![]() ![]() Until recently, the Henipavirus genus contained only two species-HeV and NiV viruses-which are phylogenetically closely related and exhibit serological cross-reactivity 3. Their mortality rate in humans can be greater than 90% (refs 1, 2) and they are the only paramyxoviruses that are classified as biosafety level 4 (BSL-4) pathogens. Nipah (NiV) and Hendra viruses (HeV) are highly pathogenic paramyxoviruses of the henipavirus (HNV) genus that cause acute encephalitis and respiratory illness. Evidence for HNV spillover events warrants increased surveillance efforts. ![]() Butchering bat meat and living in areas undergoing deforestation are the most significant risk factors associated with seropositivity. Seropositive human sera also neutralize Hendra virus and Gh-M74a (an African HNV) pseudoparticles, as well as live NiV. ![]() Seropositive human samples are found almost exclusively in individuals who reported butchering bats for bushmeat. Using a vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV)-based pseudoparticle seroneutralization assay, we detect NiV-X-Nabs in 48% and 3–4% of the bat and human samples, respectively. To determine the potential for HNV spillover events among humans in Africa, here we examine well-curated sets of bat ( Eidolon helvum, n=44) and human ( n=497) serum samples from Cameroon for Nipah virus (NiV) cross-neutralizing antibodies (NiV-X-Nabs). However, a recent study discovered numerous HNV clades in African bat samples. Zoonotic transmission of lethal henipaviruses (HNVs) from their natural fruit bat reservoirs to humans has only been reported in Australia and South/Southeast Asia. ![]()
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