Which of the following is true about Hendra virus reservoirs and transmission as described?

• A. It infects only horses and humans
• B. It has flying foxes as a reservoir and can infect humans, horses, bats, and dogs
• C. It is present in cats as natural reservoir
• D. It is not capable of cross-species transmission

Answer: (B)

Flying foxes are the natural reservoir for Hendra virus, and transmission occurs when the virus spills over from these bats into horses, which can then expose humans who have close contact with infected horses. This cross-species transmission pattern—bat reservoir leading to horse infection and then human infection—is a defining feature of Hendra virus ecology. While the virus primarily circulates in flying foxes and can infect horses and humans, it is also capable of affecting other mammals in various contexts, reflecting its broader host range, though cats are not a known natural reservoir. Therefore, identifying flying foxes as the reservoir and noting the infection of humans and horses (with the virus capable of cross-species transmission) best matches what’s described.