Ronan Kelly
Retired 2020
Up to 8 people exposed to hendra virus
Updated 5 hours 30 minutes ago
Queensland Health says eight people may have been exposed in the latest case of hendra virus.
Biosecurity officials have quarantined two properties south of Brisbane after a horse died from the disease at the weekend.
Authorities say 20 to 30 horses have been quarantined.
Hendra virus can be transmitted from horses to humans and has a high mortality rate.
Queensland's acting chief health officer, Aaron Groves, says there is no reliable treatment if someone gets sick, but a prevention measure may be offered.
"We now have a stock of monoclonal antibodies, which can be used to help prevent hendra virus in those people who may have been significantly exposed to the virus," he said.
"Our preliminary advice is that as many as six people may have come into contact with the horse that has died from hendra.
"One person may be slightly more significantly exposed than the others."
But while authorities say the monoclonal antibody is safe, they are unsure how effective it is.
They also do not know who is most vulnerable to contracting hendra virus.
"Given there's only seven people who've been infected with the virus before in the past, we really don't know what factors make somebody more likely to contract the illness than just the exposure element," Mr Groves said.
...
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2011/06/29/3256449.htm
Updated 5 hours 30 minutes ago
Queensland Health says eight people may have been exposed in the latest case of hendra virus.
Biosecurity officials have quarantined two properties south of Brisbane after a horse died from the disease at the weekend.
Authorities say 20 to 30 horses have been quarantined.
Hendra virus can be transmitted from horses to humans and has a high mortality rate.
Queensland's acting chief health officer, Aaron Groves, says there is no reliable treatment if someone gets sick, but a prevention measure may be offered.
"We now have a stock of monoclonal antibodies, which can be used to help prevent hendra virus in those people who may have been significantly exposed to the virus," he said.
"Our preliminary advice is that as many as six people may have come into contact with the horse that has died from hendra.
"One person may be slightly more significantly exposed than the others."
But while authorities say the monoclonal antibody is safe, they are unsure how effective it is.
They also do not know who is most vulnerable to contracting hendra virus.
"Given there's only seven people who've been infected with the virus before in the past, we really don't know what factors make somebody more likely to contract the illness than just the exposure element," Mr Groves said.
...
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2011/06/29/3256449.htm