Australia: 2011 Hendra virus cases in dogs/horses/exposure in people

[Ronan Kelly]

Re: Australia: 2011 Hendra virus cases in dogs/horses/exposure in people

New South Wales:

New Hendra cases confirmed at South Ballina and Mullumbimby
18 Aug 2011
Two new properties at South Ballina and Mullumbimby, on the NSW North Coast, have been infected with the Hendra virus, NSW Department of Primary Industries (NSW DPI) confirmed today.

?Two horses have died on a South Ballina property and one horse has died on a Mullumbimby property,? NSW Chief Veterinary Officer Ian Roth said.

?The dead horses on the South Ballina property were reported by a neighbour and sampled by a LHPA district vet. The precise time of death for these two horses is currently unknown.

?The horse on the Mullumbimby property was reportedly behaving oddly and died suddenly. A private veterinarian took blood and swab samples from the dead horse.

?All samples were sent to NSW DPI?s Elizabeth Macarthur Agricultural Institute for laboratory analysis ? results confirmed the Hendra virus last night for both properties.

?Both properties have been quarantined and movement restrictions are in place for all remaining horses.

?Four remaining horses on the South Ballina property and one horse at the Mullumbimby property are currently showing no signs of illness and will be monitored twice daily.

?Following an initial test, further laboratory testing will be carried out 16 and 32 days following the last contact with the infected horses.?

Dr Roth said seven properties in NSW have now been affected by Hendra virus, with nine horses now dead from the virus.

?Hendra virus can spread from flying foxes to horses and, rarely, from horses to people, and just once in Queensland from horses to a dog,? he said.

?It?s critical horse owners maintain vigilance against this virus.

?People should keep horses away from fruiting and flowering trees that might attract fruit bats or other areas where bats are known to congregate.

?NSW DPI and the Livestock Health and Pest Authorities are working with private veterinarians to undertake extensive property checks across NSW and manage the five quarantined properties.?

Hendra in NSW snapshot (since 30/6/2011):

7 properties have been confirmed positive for the Hendra virus - Wollongbar, Macksville, Lismore, Ballina, South Ballina and two properties at Mullumbimby.
9 horse deaths.
153 properties have been confirmed as negative for the Hendra virus, with further confirmatory antibody testing still underway on some properties.
5 properties are currently quarantined. Following extensive testing and decontamination, quarantine measures have been lifted at the Wollongbar and Macksville properties.
NSW DPI advises horse owners to take precautions in areas with flying foxes - to reduce the risk of their horses becoming infected:

Place feed and water containers under cover.
Do not place feed and water under trees, especially trees with fruit.
Do not use feed that could attract flying foxes, such as apples, carrots, or molasses.
Remove horses from paddocks where fruiting or flowering trees have temporarily attracted flying foxes.
If it is not possible to remove the horse from the paddock, tape off the area under the tree.
More information on the Hendra virus is available at: www.agriculture.nsw.gov.au/info/hendra

http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/aboutus/n...hendra-cases-at-south-ballina-and-mullumbimby

 

[Ronan Kelly]

Re: Australia: 2011 Hendra virus cases in dogs/horses/exposure in people

Hendra virus case confirmed on the Gold CoastNews release | 23 August, 2011


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Biosecurity Queensland has confirmed a Hendra virus case on a property in the Gold Coast hinterland.

Queensland Chief Veterinary Officer Dr Rick Symons said Biosecurity Queensland officers had quarantined the property.

"Samples were taken from a sick horse on the property yesterday with results confirming today that it was infected with Hendra virus," Dr Symons said

"We understand there are a number of other horses on the property and full tracing is being undertaken to assess if these or any other horses have been in contact with the infected horse.

"Biosecurity Queensland and Queensland Health staff will be on the ground doorknocking neighbours to gather information on their animals and provide them with information about Hendra virus.

"The property has been quarantined to restrict the movement of horses on and off.

"Remaining horses on the property will be monitored and sampled, undergoing three rounds of testing before they are cleared - this is typically 30 to 35 days."

Queensland Health, key horse industry groups and the Australian Veterinary Association have been notified of this latest case.

Queensland Health Chief Health officer Dr Jeannette Young said staff were on the property today to assess the situation and whether any testing or treatment was required.

"Queensland Health staff will continue to undertake contact tracing work to ensure all people potentially exposed to the sick horse have been identified.

"Preliminary advice shows there have been two people who may have had limited contact with the horse.

"Queensland Health stands ready to provide any assistance, counselling, information, testing or treatment that may be required."

Dr Symons said this Hendra virus infection highlighted the need for horse owners across the state to be vigilant for signs consistent with Hendra virus infection.

"Hendra virus is not highly infectious and, consequently, the horse industry is not subject to movement restrictions for Hendra virus - except for the properties currently under quarantine," he said.

"However, horse owners need to take precautions on their properties to protect their horses from Hendra virus infection.

"For example, owners could remove horse feed and water containers from under trees and, if possible, place them under a shelter.

"Remove horses from paddocks where flowering/fruiting trees are attracting flying foxes and return horses only after the trees have stopped flowering/fruiting and the flying foxes have left.

"Owners should also consider fencing off access to trees that are identified as attractive to flying foxes.

"An information pack for horse owners on Hendra virus is available from the Biosecurity Queensland website."

Nine locations in Queensland have had confirmed Hendra virus cases this year including Beaudesert, Mt Alford, Park Ridge, Kuranda, Hervey Bay, Boondall, Logan, Chinchilla and now the Gold Coast.

Up-to-date information on Hendra virus is available at Biosecurity Queensland or by phoning 13 25 23.


http://www.dpi.qld.gov.au/30_20823.htm

 

[Ronan Kelly]

Re: Australia: 2011 Hendra virus cases in dogs/horses/exposure in people

No restrictions on general horse movements on the Gold CoastNews release | 24 August, 2011


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Biosecurity Queensland is reminding people that there are no general restrictions on horse movements following yesterday's confirmed Hendra virus infection in the Gold Coast hinterland.

Queensland Chief Veterinary Officer Dr Rick Symons said there was no necessity to put horse movement restriction in place.


"Hendra virus is not highly infectious and, consequently, the horse industry is not subject to movement restrictions for Hendra virus - except for any property that is under quarantine for Hendra virus," said Dr Symons.

"While people are free to move their horses, we would encourage them to practise good biosecurity practices and not travel, work on or take unwell horses to other properties or equestrian events.

"We have staff out and about today speaking to neighbours of the property where the infected horse was located.

"Following on from a community information session we held in Tallebudgera in July, we are looking at further community engagement activities in the general vicinity of this latest Hendra virus incident.

"We will have our mobile office on site at The Pines Elanora Shopping centre from 10 am to 4 pm tomorrow."

Dr Symons said horse owners should take precautions to protect their horses from Hendra virus infection.

"For example, owners should remove horse feed and water containers from under trees and, if possible, place them under a shelter," he said.

"Removing horses from paddocks where flowering/fruiting trees are attracting flying foxes and returning them only after the trees have stopped flowering/fruiting and the flying foxes have left is another recommended precaution. Owners could also consider fencing off access to trees that are identified as attractive to flying foxes, using either permanent or temporary fencing."


Dr Symons said there were currently only three locations with properties still under quarantine due to Hendra virus in Queensland, down from a total of nine locations with infected horses earlier this year.

"But horse owners across the state should remain vigilant for signs consistent with Hendra virus infection," he said.

"A full list of precautions for owners to protect their horses and themselves should their horses become sick is available at www.biosecurity.qld.gov.au."

For more information about Hendra virus, contact Biosecurity Queensland on 13 25 23, visit www.biosecurity.qld.gov.au or Biosecurity Queensland on Facebook.


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http://www.dpi.qld.gov.au/30_20838.htm

 

[Shiloh]

Re: Australia: 2011 Hendra virus cases in dogs/horses/exposure in people

Source: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2011-08-29/two-cleared-of-hendra-virus-after-first-test/2860062

Two cleared of hendra virus after first test
Ashlynne McGhee
Updated August 29, 2011 09:40:59


Two people who were exposed to hendra virus on Queensland's Gold Coast have tested negative to the virus in initial round testing.

A horse died from hendra virus on a Currumbin Valley property a week ago and two people and 22 other horses are being tested for exposure to the virus...

 

[Shiloh]

Re: Australia: 2011 Hendra virus cases in dogs/horses/exposure in people

Source: http://theland.farmonline.com.au/ne...-case-confirmed-north-of-ballina/2274829.aspx

New Hendra case confirmed north of Ballina
30 Aug, 2011 10:43 AM

A tenth horse has died from Hendra virus at a property north of Ballina, on the NSW North Coast, NSW Department of Primary Industries (NSW DPI) confirmed today.

?The property has been quarantined and the dead horse has been buried on the property,? NSW Chief Veterinary Officer Dr Ian Roth said.

?The horse was noticeably ill on Saturday and was showing neurological changes, including weakness and loss of balance.

?The horse deteriorated rapidly during the day and was found dead on Sunday morning.

?A private veterinarian took blood and swabs from the sick horse and sent the sample to NSW DPI?s Elizabeth Macarthur Agricultural Institute for laboratory analysis ? results confirmed the Hendra virus last night.

?While there are no other horses on the property, a dog on the property will be assessed by the Livestock Health and Pest Authority (LHPA) in line with NSW?s companion animal policy.

?The infected horse was grazing in a small paddock containing flowering and fruiting trees, where flying foxes were active...?

 

[Ronan Kelly]

Re: Australia: 2011 Hendra virus cases in dogs/horses/exposure in people

...
Hendra in NSW snapshot (since 30/6/2011):

8 properties have been confirmed positive for the Hendra virus - Wollongbar, Macksville, Lismore, Ballina, South Ballina, two properties at Mullumbimby and North Ballina.
10 horse deaths.
171 properties have been confirmed as negative for the Hendra virus.
5 properties are currently quarantined. Following extensive testing and decontamination, quarantine measures have been lifted at the Wollongbar, Macksville and Lismore properties.

http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/aboutus/n...ews-releases/new-hendra-case-north-of-ballina

 

[Ronan Kelly]

Re: Australia: 2011 Hendra virus cases in dogs/horses/exposure in people

NSW horses officially Hendra free
05 Oct 2011
NSW Department of Primary Industries (NSW DPI) has today confirmed that the State?s horses are now Hendra free, following the release of quarantine measures at a property north of Ballina.

?Final testing of a dog on the Ballina property has come back negative, allowing quarantine measures to be lifted,? NSW Acting Chief Veterinary Officer Dr Sally Spence said.

?There are currently no properties quarantined in NSW, with all previously infected properties declared safe by NSW authorities.

?Since June this year, Hendra has resulted in ten horse deaths at eight properties on the NSW North Coast.

?This year has been the biggest outbreak of Hendra we?ve seen to date, with only one case previously recorded at a property in Murwillumbah in 2006.

?It is not entirely clear what led to the increased number of cases this year.

?One suggestion is that southern bats ? that have not been previously infected with the Hendra virus ? were exposed to northern Queensland bats which were forced south by cyclone Yasi and the widespread flooding.

?It is thought infected animals shed higher levels of a virus when they are first exposed.

?To better understand what?s behind the spike in cases this year, NSW has committed $3 million of funding to ramp-up vital research into the virus.

?Key research priorities identified by the taskforce include identifying why the virus infection spills over from flying foxes and how horses and other animals are exposed to the virus.?

Dr Spence said NSW DPI and the Livestock Health and Pest Authorities (LHPA) continue to work with private veterinarians to undertake extensive property checks across NSW.

?Suspect cases on 218 properties have been assessed by NSW authorities and confirmed by NSW DPI?s Elizabeth Macarthur Agricultural Institute as negative for the Hendra virus since 30 June 2011,? Dr Spence said.

?Despite the drop in cases, it?s critical horse owners maintain vigilance against this deadly virus.

?With the arrival of spring, horse owners should keep an eye on fruiting and blossoming trees and ensure horses are kept well away from areas where bats congregate.?


http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/aboutus/n...ws-releases/nsw-horses-officially-hendra-free

 

[Ronan Kelly]

Re: Australia: 2011 Hendra virus cases in dogs/horses/exposure in people

Final Hendra virus property taken off quarantine News release | 05 October, 2011


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The last remaining property under quarantine for Hendra virus has been given the all clear.

Queensland Chief Veterinary Officer Dr Rick Symons said a series of negative test results on horses at a property in the Gold Coast hinterland meant that the quarantine could be lifted and horses could again be moved on and off the site.

"The number of cases in Queensland so far this year is certainly unprecedented. The focus for us now will be on learning from these experiences and, in particular, focusing on our research into the virus," Dr Symons said.

"At the height of this year's Hendra virus incidents, 100 horses were being monitored daily with more than 220 Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation (DEEDI) officers contributing towards the responses across the state.

Unfortunately, eleven horses died from the virus, and for the first time a dog tested positive for Hendra virus antibodies."

"Biosecurity Queensland staff visited more than 500 properties in the vicinity of a Hendra virus infection over a 13-week response period. They also attended to more than 80 events including the provision of community information sessions in areas where the community had been affected."

Dr Symons said the recently announced $12 million in funding from Queensland, New South Wales and Australian Governments would expand and accelerate Hendra virus research.

"Each incident we deal with helps increase our knowledge base to work toward a safer environment for horse owners, vets and the community," he said.

"We acknowledge there is much more research needed to understand the virus."

Dr Symons said while there had been no new Hendra virus cases reported recently, people with horses shouldn't become complacent.

"While we have seen a peak in Hendra virus cases over the past few months, I want to stress that it is possible for infections to occur throughout the year," he said.

"Horse owners need to continue to take precautions on their properties to protect their horses from Hendra virus infection."

"They also should be alert to the signs of Hendra virus and call their vet if they have any suspicions."

http://www.dpi.qld.gov.au/30_21005.htm

 

[Ronan Kelly]

Re: Australia: 2011 Hendra virus cases in dogs/horses/exposure in people

Another outbreak of Hendra confirmed
Updated: 11:11, Tuesday October 11, 2011

A new Hendra case has been confirmed in a horse in Queensland, Premier Anna Bligh says.

Ms Bligh said tests confirmed the virus in a horse at Beachmere, north of Brisbane, on Monday night.

'I understand that the property owners have been advised this morning and the chief vet will hold a press conference later this morning to provide more details,' she told parliament on Tuesday.

...
http://www.skynews.com.au/local/article.aspx?id=671901&vId=

 

[Ronan Kelly]

Re: Australia: 2011 Hendra virus cases in dogs/horses/exposure in people

New Hendra virus case in Caboolture areaNews release | 11 October, 2011


A sick horse on a property in the Caboolture area has been euthanased after returning a positive test result for Hendra virus infection.Queensland Chief Veterinary Officer Dr Rick Symons said the horse had become sick over the weekend and was treated by a private veterinarian.

"Samples were taken for Hendra virus testing and the positive result came back late last night," Dr Symons said.

"Another horse was euthanased at this property over a week ago. Biosecurity Queensland is seeking samples from that horse as well to test for Hendra virus.

"There are two remaining horses on the property.

"Biosecurity Queensland is in the process of quarantining the property and will assess and monitor the other horses at this location over the next month."

Queensland's Chief Health Officer Dr Jeannette Young said public health experts would visit the property today to assess the situation and determine how many humans, if any, had contact with the infected horse.

"Queensland Health staff will continue to undertake contact tracing work to ensure all people potentially exposed to the sick horse have been identified," Dr Young said.

"Queensland Health stands ready to provide any assistance, counselling, information, testing or treatment that may be required.

"I can also confirm that the follow-up results are negative for all 66 people being monitored from previous Hendra virus cases this year."

Dr Symons said this incident was the tenth in Queensland this year and this was the twelfth horse to be infected with the virus.

"We have consistently said that Hendra virus infection can occur throughout the year and we remind horse owners not to become complacent, but remain vigilant for the signs of Hendra virus at all times" he said.

"We will deal with this latest case just as we have with previous cases through a process of quarantine, testing and monitoring.

"Each incident this year has been isolated and there has been no spread of the infection from one property to another.

"Our focus remains on learning from these experiences and pursuing a range of avenues of research using the $12 million in funding provided by the Commonwealth, Queensland and New South Wales governments."

Up-to-date information on Hendra virus is available at http://www.biosecurity.qld.gov.au/, including important workplace health and safety information for horse properties and other horse related businesses, and details of upcoming public information sessions.
http://www.dpi.qld.gov.au/30_21036.htm

 

[Ronan Kelly]

Re: Australia: 2011 Hendra virus cases in dogs/horses/exposure in people

Second Hendra virus case confirmed at Beachmere propertyNews release | 15 October, 2011


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A second horse has been euthanased at a Beachmere property after returning a positive test result for Hendra virus infection.

Queensland Chief Veterinary Officer Dr Rick Symons said this was one of the two remaining horses at the Beachmere property where a horse was euthanased last Tuesday.

"Samples were taken for Hendra virus testing from the two horses remaining on the property and we received a positive result for one of these horses," Dr Symons said.

"Three horses have now died at this property in the past fortnight. One was euthanased almost two weeks ago after becoming seriously ill and being diagnosed as suffering from colic. No samples from that horse are available for testing and we will not be able to confirm if that horse was actually infected by Hendra virus."

Dr Symons said the property would remain under quarantine until at least late November.

This Hendra virus incident is the tenth in Queensland this year and this latest case is the thirteenth horse to be infected with the virus.

http://www.dpi.qld.gov.au/30_21055.htm