Testing has confirmed that a horse that was euthanized on Tuesday in Queensland was infected with the Hendra virus. According to officials at Biosecurity Queensland a positive test result from samples taken from the animal at Mackay was received on Wednesday.
Queensland’s chief veterinary officer, Dr Rick Symons, said the property manager contacted a veterinarian on Tuesday after discovering the horse was seriously ill.
“There are a number of other animals including horses on the property and on adjoining properties,” Symons said. “Tracing is a priority to determine what contact the infected horse had with other animals on all properties.”
He said biosecurity officers visited the property this morning to establish a quarantine.
“Restrictions will apply to moving horses and horse materials on and off the infected property, and the property will be quarantined for at least one month,” Symons said.
Queensland Health personnel have determined only one person had contact with the infected horse. The person has been assessed as having low-level exposure as they wore personal protective equipment and took other appropriate precautions.
Biosecurity officers emphasized the importance of good biosecurity for all horse owners in the area.
A year ago, Dr Deborah Middleton from CSIRO’s Australian Animal Health Laboratory (AAHL) announced successful progress in the development of a Henra virus vaccine at the Australian Veterinary Association conference in Adelaide.
Although no date is given as to when the vaccine will be available for use by horse owners, the Australian Animal Health Laboratory expects a Hendra Virus vaccine for horses to be widely available in 2013.