wbvs58
Well-known member
Have you heard of the Hendra Virus we get in horses in Australia. Another case has just been reported at Beaudesert in Southern Queensland. It was first reported in a racing stable at Brisbane in I think 1994, about 20 horses died or were euthanased, their trainer also died from the disease. Symptoms are varied with differant outbreaks but usually febrilre, severe respiratory distress, foamy, bloody discharge from both nostrils and sometimes nervous signs. It was found that the Flying Fox(bat) carried the virus, possibly in their birthing fluids or membranes. It is important to keep water and feedbins under shelter away from trees and feeding bats.
The virus can be spread to humans from close contact with infected discharges from horses, to date 4 people have died from Hendra virus including two attending vets. It seems that each year now a couple of cases are confirmed. It is a big concern for all in the horse industry in this country and this region.
Vets have to be very alert for the disease and should use a certain amount of PPE(personel protection equiptment) with all routine horse calls no matter what the symptons are. One outbreak presented initially as colic like symptons and was treated accordingly.
There has been a vaccine developed for horses and it is hoped to be in commercial production very soon and that there will be a good uptake of the vaccine by the horse community.
Hendra virus is a reminder to everyone in the animal industries that things can just pop up out of the blue and that good biosecurity and hygiene practices should be observed.
Ken
The virus can be spread to humans from close contact with infected discharges from horses, to date 4 people have died from Hendra virus including two attending vets. It seems that each year now a couple of cases are confirmed. It is a big concern for all in the horse industry in this country and this region.
Vets have to be very alert for the disease and should use a certain amount of PPE(personel protection equiptment) with all routine horse calls no matter what the symptons are. One outbreak presented initially as colic like symptons and was treated accordingly.
There has been a vaccine developed for horses and it is hoped to be in commercial production very soon and that there will be a good uptake of the vaccine by the horse community.
Hendra virus is a reminder to everyone in the animal industries that things can just pop up out of the blue and that good biosecurity and hygiene practices should be observed.
Ken
