Health authorities are investigating a new case of Hendra virus at a property in the Brisbane Valley in a third outbreak of Hendra virus in Queensland this year.< p/>
Flying foxes - Carriers of Hendra virus
Chief biosecurity officer Dr Jim Thompson warns Hendra can occur at any time of the year, not just in winter and horse owners are encouraged to make sure horses are vaccinated.
© 2013 by Justin Welbergen
Biosecurity Queensland is in the process of quarantining the property after a horse developed symptoms over the weekend and died. Test results were received late last night and came back positive for the Hendra virus.
Authorities are now testing a number of other horses that may have come in contact with the infected animal at the property. Staff from the Public Health Unit are investigating if anyone was exposed to the sick horse during the contamination period.
An equine veterinarian says there is an extremely high risk of more horses contracting the Hendra virus at Lowood in the Brisbane Valley in Queensland where another horse has died of the bat-borne disease, and up to 20 others from the same property are being tested.
Four people had minimal contact with the sick animal but are not deemed to be at risk, but veterinarian, Dr Louise Cosgrove, says its likely more horses will become infected and warns it can take up to a month for a Hendra vaccine to take effect.
Veterinarians are warning horse owners not to feed horses under trees where bats may be and also to water their horses away from any areas that could possibly be infested with bats.
Chief biosecurity officer Dr Jim Thompson warns Hendra can occur at any time of the year, not just in winter. "We don't like to call it Hendra season, we've had enough cases outside what is the middle of winter period to suggest that people can get a bit complacent if they think there is a Hendra season," he said.
The Queensland Horse Council says the latest outbreak of Hendra highlights the need to vaccinate horses. "We have a vaccine for horses that is very effective against the disease so in effect we need to learn that we've been given the option to vaccinate our horses," said council president Debbie Dekker. "It offers very good protection and that's what we should be doing."