Menangle virus

Menangle Virus is a paramyxovirus that was first identified in 1997 in a piggery in Menangle, New South Wales, Australia. The virus is zoonotic, meaning it can be transmitted from animals to humans.

History

The Menangle Virus was first discovered in 1997 when an outbreak of reproductive disease occurred in a commercial piggery in Menangle, New South Wales, Australia. The virus was isolated from stillborn piglets, and it was later found that two workers at the piggery had developed a flu-like illness and had antibodies to the virus.

Transmission

The Menangle Virus is a zoonotic disease, which means it can be transmitted from animals to humans. The primary hosts of the virus are fruit bats (flying foxes) of the genus Pteropus, but it can also infect pigs and humans. The virus is believed to be transmitted to pigs through contact with bat urine or feces, and to humans through contact with infected pigs or their products.

Symptoms and Diagnosis

In pigs, the Menangle Virus causes reproductive problems, including stillbirths and deformities in piglets. In humans, the virus can cause a flu-like illness with symptoms including fever, chills, sweating, myalgia, and headache.

Diagnosis of the Menangle Virus is based on the detection of the virus or its antibodies in blood or tissue samples. This can be done using various laboratory tests, such as enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and virus isolation.

Prevention and Control

Prevention and control of the Menangle Virus involves reducing the risk of transmission from bats to pigs and from pigs to humans. This can be achieved through good hygiene practices, use of personal protective equipment, and proper handling and disposal of pig products.

See Also

• Zoonotic disease
• Paramyxovirus
• Pteropus

References

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