Dr. Jeong awarded an EFRI Student Symposium presentation prize! "Control of Hendra virus spillo

Dr. Jaewoon Jeong was recently awarded a prize for his presentation at the Environmental Futures Research Institute (EFRI) Student Symposium, held Monday 14th September, Nathan Campus, Griffith University. Congratulations Jae!

Abstract and details below.

Jeong, J. (2015) Control of Hendra virus spillover risk. Environmental Futures Research Institute 2015 Student Symposium.

Abstract:

Control of Hendra virus spillover risk

Jaewoon Jeong (Post-confirmation category)

Hendra virus was first discovered in 1994 in Australia when it infected horses and humans and finally caused their deaths. The natural host of Hendra virus is the flying fox, and horses are infected with Hendra virus from flying foxes and humans are infected from horses. Hendra virus has a high mortality rate but low infectivity. Once infection occurs, it is likely to lose a life.

With no vaccination of Hendra virus, we have to resort on other methods to control flying foxes, and an alternative is culling. To cull flying foxes has been considered to control spillover risk of Hendra virus from flying foxes. However, culling wildlife has not shown desirable effects in many cases, because it is substantially hard to predict and manipulate wildlife, which is an essential part in delicate ecosystem. This is the point where we need mathematical modelling of infectious disease to predict the results of our control method and to suggest the best scenario of control methods before we make any actual changes in the nature. My study is to use mathematical modelling in order to minimize Hendra virus spillover risk.