Hendra virus spreads from flying foxes, to horses, and sometimes from horses to humans. The ecology of this transmission route involves an intricate interplay between the environment, bats, horses and humans that has fascinated researchers since the virus was first characterized in 1994. Our understanding on when and why Hendra outbreaks occur has become clearer, and provides insights into how preserving bat habitats can reduce infections in horses and humans .
Wildlife disease ecologist and veterinarian Dr. Alison Peel will discuss the ecology of Hendra virus spillover and share some intriguing new research with big implications for how caring for the environment could help prevent disease spillovers in our shared planet.
Ashley Peery, educator for the exhibition Outbreak: Epidemics in a Connected World at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History, will moderate the discussion.
This program is offered as part of NMNH’s virtual series, Shared Planet Shared Health, and will be presented as a Zoom video webinar. A link will be emailed to all registrants.
Image caption: Black flying foxes (Pteropus alecto)
