Menangle Virus Infection

Menangle virus infection is a notable zoonotic disease caused by the Menangle virus (MenPV). Its emergence dates back to 1997 when an outbreak occurred in Menangle, New South Wales, Australia. Since then, this virus has remained a subject of concern for veterinary and public health authorities across the globe. BioVenic is committed to reducing the risk of this disease to the swine industry and human health.

Causes and Effects of Menangle Virus Infection

Menangle virus primarily affects pigs, causing reproductive disorders, respiratory problems, and nervous system abnormalities. Infected pigs may experience fertility issues, stillbirths, and congenital defects in piglets. These impacts can lead to significant economic losses for pig populations and the agricultural industry.

Virology

Menangle virus belongs to the Paramyxoviridae family and the genus Pararubulavirus. It is a negative-sense RNA virus with an envelope and polymorphic proteins. Its unique genomic and structural features contribute to its ability to infect and replicate within host cells.

Transmission

Bats are asymptomatic hosts of the Menangle virus. Pigs may have initially been infected with bat urine and/or feces.

Direct contact with infected pigs or exposure to their secretions is the primary mode of transmission for the Menangle virus. The virus can also spread between animals, including humans. Carrier pigs can serve as reservoirs, maintaining the virus within a population and posing challenges for disease control efforts. Investigating transmission dynamics and risk factors is essential to designing effective prevention and management strategies.

Infections in Humans

Although rare, the Menangle virus can infect humans and cause flu-like symptoms, including fever, headache, muscle pain, and respiratory distress. Human infections typically occur through close contact with infected animals or their products. BioVenic recommends that humans take appropriate precautions when feeding and handling pigs to avoid infection with the virus.

Signs and Symptoms of Menangle Virus Infection in Pig

Menangle virus infection in pigs manifests as reproductive disorders, respiratory issues, and neurological abnormalities. Clinical signs may include,

Fig. 1 Symptoms of Menangle virus infection in piglets.¹

Diagnosis of Menangle Virus Infection

Laboratory tests play a vital role in diagnosing Menager virus infection. In addition to virus isolation, BioVenic often develops diagnostics solutions for customers based on immunology and molecular biology to help detect Menangle virus-specific antibodies, or its genetic material, as shown below.

• Virus Isolation
• Immunodiagnostics
  
  • Virus Neutralization Assay
  • ELISA, etc.
• Molecular Diagnostics
  
  • PCR
  • NGS, etc.

Occurrence and Distribution

Menangle virus has been predominantly reported in Australia, particularly in New South Wales. However, due to its sporadic nature and the potential for cross-species transmission, monitoring the occurrence and distribution of the virus globally is essential. Encounters or suspected Menangle virus infection should follow their national and/or local disease reporting guidelines. In the United States, detection of the virus should be reported immediately to state or federal veterinary authorities.

Treatment

Currently, there is no specific antiviral treatment for Menangle virus infection in pigs or humans. Supportive care and management of secondary infection are often used to relieve symptoms and minimize economic loss. BioVenic's ongoing research and development efforts are focused on exploring targeted antiviral therapies and treatment options for this disease.

Prevention and Control of Menangle Virus Infection

• No vaccines have been studied.
  BioVenic recommends the following measures to prevent the infection and spread of the Menangle virus in pig herds.
• Prevent pigs from contact with bats and their droppings or secretions. For example, avoid planting fruit trees that bats like, and prevent water from the roof from entering the pigsty.
• Strict quarantine is carried out on the pig herd to monitor the infection of the Menangle virus.
• In case of virus infection, the pigsty must be strictly disinfected and left empty for a long enough time.
• It is recommended to confine and isolate pigs aged 14-16 weeks to prevent MenPV transmission.

As a leading CRO in the veterinary diagnostic industry, BioVenic actively develops innovative diagnostics solutions for Menangle virus infections, providing customers with diagnostics methods, reagents, and kits. We also provide vaccine development services and innovative therapeutic drug development services to veterinary researchers. If you are interested in more details, please feel free to contact us.

Reference

1. Kirkland, Peter D. "Menangle virus: one of the first of the novel viruses from fruit bats." Microbiology Australia 38.1 (2017): 22-24.