The Menangle virus, another paramyxovirus, was first identified in 1997 after a piggery in Menangle (NSW) experienced a high number of stillbirths. Two workers at the piggery became ill with unexplained, flu-like symptoms, but subsequently recovered.
Investigations later found that the virus was transmitted from a nearby population of flying foxes, through pigs which act as a carrier of the virus. Bats appear to be an asymptomatic host, with infection caused through contact with body fluids for infected animals.
Menangle is one of three recently discovered zoonotic viruses in Australia that are carried by bats, the others are Hendra virus and Australian bat lyssavirus (ABLV or bat rabies).