
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: FRIDAY, April 7, 1995                   TAG: 9504070076
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL                    PAGE: A-6   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: WASHINGTON                                LENGTH: Medium

VIRUS KILLS ANIMALS, HUMANS

The mystery disease that killed 14 horses and a horse trainer in Australia last fall was caused by a highly virulent new virus that jumps from animals to man, scientists report. But they have no idea where it originated or how big a threat it poses.

The still-unnamed virus is part of the family that includes measles and canine distemper, Australian researchers report today in the journal Science. But it's more deadly and has a particularly disturbing element: Until now, all viruses in this family had been confined to a single species.

``It's not at all clear what's going on here,'' said Dr. Brian Mahy, viral director for the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Although Australia's outbreak appears over, doctors don't know what made this virus suddenly erupt, or whether it will strike again.

``Analyses suggest that the virus has not resulted from a single mutation or a few key point mutations, but most likely is a virus that has emerged from its natural host,'' reported Dr. Keith Murray of the Australian Animal Health Laboratory. ``Investigations are now under way to ... establish whether the virus remains a threat.''

In September, 21 horses on several Queensland farms suddenly came down with severe respiratory disease, and 14 died. Vic Rail, 49, one of Australia's leading horse trainers, died after a week of similar symptoms, and a 40-year-old stablehand who also cared for the ill animals was sickened but survived.

The virus killed by creating holes in blood vessels that leaked into lungs until the victims basically drowned. Veterinarians reported horses dying with blood gushing from their noses and mouths.

Genetic testing showed the pathogen is a morbillivirus, the viral family that includes measles, canine distemper, cattle plague, and newly discovered versions that recently killed North Atlantic seals and African sheep.

To fight the disease, scientists must find out what animal is host to the pathogen, spreading it without getting sick. That could be a rodent or a bird, Mahy said.

by CNB