An unvaccinated horse has died from Hendra virus in south-east Queensland and is the state's first case of the virus in three years. Hendra virus can be potentially deadly for humans as well as animals. Queensland Health and Biosecurity say they are working to contain the risk of an outbreak.
White-gloved veterinarian vaccinating a horse.
Hendra virus can infect horses and humans and is potentially deadly to both and can be transmitted from flying fox to horse, from horse to horse, from horse to dog and from horse to human.
© 2016 by Kondrashov MIkhail Evgenevich New window.
Biosecurity Queensland said an unvaccinated horse tested positive for the infection on Friday, July 4 and its "condition rapidly deteriorated". The last time Hendra virus was detected in the state was in Mackay in 2022. Prior to that, no cases had been recorded since 2017.
Hendra virus can be transmitted by a flying fox - a type of bat - to a horse, from horse to horse, from horse to dog and from horse to human. Horses are believed to contract the virus by coming into contact with material contaminated by infected flying fox body fluids and excretions. The disease can then spread from horse to horse through direct contact with infectious body fluids and indirect contact via contaminated equipment.
Chief Veterinary Officer Dr Fiona Thompson said officers were working closely with the horse's owner to manage the risk of the virus spreading. "Tracing and exposure assessments have been undertaken on other horses and animals on the property,” Dr Thompson said. “We are also working with Queensland Health in relation to humans who may have had contact with the infected horse so their experts can manage the health of people involved."
Horse owners are encouraged to vaccinate their animals against the disease to protect them. There is no vaccine for humans against Hendra virus and although instances of it spreading to people are rare, it can happen. Queensland Chief Health Officer Dr Heidi Carroll said Queensland Health staff had contacted all known people who had been exposed to the infectious horse.
“We know from past cases of Hendra virus infection in horses that most people exposed remain well and don’t contract the infection," Dr Carroll said. “People who are assessed as having a high level of exposure to the infected horse will undergo prioritised testing for the virus.”
Equine Veterinarians Australia (EVA) and the Australian Veterinary Association (AVA) on Sunday echoed calls for horse owners to vaccinate their animals against the disease. AVA president Dr Gemma Chuck said the consequences of the rare virus could be "devastating".
"Veterinarians and horse owners must continue to work together to promote vaccination and biosecurity practices that help protect both animal and human health," Dr Chuck said.
Find more information about Hendra virus HERE
Press release by Queensland Department of Health