According to the findings of a preliminary study into the effect of pasture quality on Hendra virus infection rates, hungry horses could be more susceptible to contracting Hendra virus.
Bats: Source of Hendra virus
Hendra virus infections in 2011 coincided with periods of poor pasture, so horses were likely to have been hungry at the time of infection.
© 2012 by Justin Welbergen
A joint study, by The University of Queensland (UQ) and Bahrinna Thoroughbred Services, analysed local pasture growth and quality against the timing and location of Hendra virus outbreaks in NSW and south-east Queensland during 2011.
Professor of animal science at UQ's School of Agriculture and Food Sciences, Professor Wayne Bryden, presented the research at the Australasian Equine Science Symposium at the Gold Coast this week.
“Hendra virus infections in 2011 coincided with periods of poor pasture growth caused by extended periods of frost and rain and so horses were likely to have been hungry at the time of infection,” Professor Bryden said.
“A hungry horse is more likely to consume bat-related material found on pastures.
“And because a horse's nutrient intake is significantly reduced due to poor pasture quality and availability, its immune system is possibly also compromised, thereby setting the scene for an infection.”
Professor Bryden said further work was required to understand the risk factors involved with Hendra virus infections, but that changes to horse management, such as providing supplementary feeding during poor pasture growth periods may be one preventative strategy.
Interested in learning more about Hendra Virus?