Hendra outbreaks in horses and humans in Queensland, 2009

[alert]

Re: Horse dies of Hendra virus; workers exposed; vet infected - critically ill

Re: Horse dies of Hendra virus; workers exposed; vet infected - critically ill

This thread needs to be renamed and moved now that there is a confirmed human infection.

http://www.flutrackers.com/forum/newreply.php?do=newreply&noquote=1&p=283529

Vet struck down with deadly Hendra virusFont Size: Decrease Increase Print Page: Print Natasha Bita | August 21, 2009
Article from: The Australian
A VET infected with the lethal Hendra virus was fighting for his life last night, after treating a dying horse he had diagnosed with a snake bite.

Rockhampton veterinarian Alister Rodgers treated the sick horse without protective gloves or a mask, which he had left in his car at the end of a long day.

It was late afternoon when the no-nonsense vet trudged through the shady paddocks of the J4S Equine Nursery at Cawarral, near Rockhampton in central-eastern Queensland, three weeks ago. The stud manager, Debbie Brown, had called him out to check on a horse recovering from surgery. As he left, she mentioned that a young filly was off-colour.

"It was thought to be snake bite at the time," Dr Rodgers told The Australian in an interview on August 10.

"The blood wouldn't clot and that usually goes with the likes of a tiger snake or a brown snake. I would now clearly discount that. In retrospect, it was definitely Hendra."

Dr Rodgers inserted an endoscope into the horse's nose, and spotted pinpoint haemorrhaging "all over the place".

"I'd gone to see a surgical case, and my gloves and mask were in the car," he recalled.

"When you are in a hurry these things can slip by you."

Dr Rodgers was all too aware of the dangers. A Brisbane vet, Ben Cunneen, died of Hendra virus a year ago yesterday.

"I am aware that Ben Cunneen endoscoped the horse that infected him so it's obviously a concern," Dr Rodgers had told The Australian. "But it's been 11 days since I saw that horse so I am starting to get on to more favourable territory."

Last night, Dr Rodgers was in a critical but stable condition in the intensive care unit of the Princess Alexandra Hospital in Brisbane.

He had only been home for a day after finishing a five-day experimental drug treatment at Rockhampton Hospital.

Health authorities had taken a gamble with the treatment to try to prevent the virus taking hold in the four people most exposed to Hendra-infected horses.

Initial tests two weeks ago had cleared them all. But Dr Rodgers returned to his local hospital on Wednesday, so ill that he was airlifted to Brisbane.

Tests yesterday confirmed he was infected with the exotic bat-borne virus, which can pass to horses and then humans.

Ms Brown, who also underwent treatment with the drug Ribavirin, said yesterday her friend should not have been sent home.

"He was very sick," she told The Australian. "But his treatment was up and so it was time to go. He was told, 'Time's up'."

Ms Brown is one of three stud workers who were considered so at-risk that they were offered the experimental treatment. She had contact with all three horses that died on the J4S stud. The first was the "snake-bite" filly, buried before it could be tested for Hendra virus. A 22-year-old pony was presumed to have died of old age, but an autopsy found Hendra infection.

When a prized mare named Regal Princess fell sick, frothing at the mouth, Ms Brown phoned Dr Rodgers for advice. He urged her to "keep away" as it sounded like a case of Hendra, and alerted Queensland's Department of Primary Industries.

But with the dying mare in obvious distress, Ms Brown cradled her head for comfort, and was covered in blood and mucus.

Queensland's chief medical officer, Jeannette Young, said yesterday the three stud workers would be offered "support and counselling" but would not be tested for Hendra virus unless they felt sick. "Should any of them develop symptoms they will be tested on the spot," she said.

"If they don't, we will re-test them three weeks after they last had exposure (to sick horses)."

Dr Young denied that the experimental treatment could have worsened the infection.

"Ribarivin is a treatment used to minimise the impact of a viral infection," she said. "It hasn't worked in preventing it, but it certainly wouldn't have caused any harm to these people."

The case is the seventh human infection with Hendra virus.

The virus, named after the Brisbane suburb where it was first detected in 1994, has killed Cunneen, Brisbane horse trainer Vic Rail and Mackay sugar farmer Mark Preston. The nurse who helped Cunneen treat an infected horse last year, Natalie Boehm, survived after weeks in intensive care.

 

[alert]

Re: Horse dies of Hendra virus; workers exposed

Re: Horse dies of Hendra virus; workers exposed

The bold text bodes ill for the vet. Our prayers are with him.

http://www.thehorse.com/ViewArticle.aspx?ID=14757

Vet Hospitalized with Hendra Virus
by: Erin Ryder, TheHorse.com News Editor
August 20 2009, Article # 14757
Print Email Add to Favorites RSS ShareThis
A veterinarian exposed to a horse infected with Hendra virus has tested positive for the disease and is hospitalized in an induced coma, said the Australian Horse Industry Council.

Three horses on a Cawarral, Queensland, property died in late July and early August. Two of the dead horses were confirmed positive for Hendra, a potentially zoonotic virus that has only occurred in Australia.

Testing continues on an additional 25 horses on the property, as well as 11 that had left the facility. (Read more.) The Cawarral property and a neighboring property will remain under quarantine until Biosecurity Queensland is confident there is no chance of any further infection.

Fruit bats (also called flying foxes) indigenous to Australia appear to be Hendra's natural host. Typical equine clinical signs of Hendra include respiratory distress, frothy nasal discharge, elevated heart rate, and increased body temperature. Some horses display neurologic signs, such as head-pressing or twitching, while others might appear to be colicky. In past cases, human infections have occurred from handling infected horses (ill horses and during necropsies), so great care should be taken in regard to personal protective measures. (See "Guidelines for veterinarians handling potential Hendra virus infection in horses.")

The council noted that 70-80% of infected horses die of the disease while survivors must be euthanized to prevent human infection. Of infected people, 50% are at a grave risk of dying.

Last year veterinarian Ben Cunneen, BVSc, died after contracting Hendra virus from a horse hospitalized at the Redlands Veterinary Clinic on the outskirts of the city of Brisbane in the state of Queensland. A veterinary nurse and another veterinarian were also hospitalized.

Realted to the current cases, the Queensland Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries said a team of scientists have collected urine samples from a flying fox colony in the area to further research the virus. They will also study the colony to learn more about its makeup and history in an effort to increase knowledge of the possible triggers for spillover of the Hendra virus.

"No matter where you are in Australia it is imperative that you keep your horses away from fruit eating bats," the Australian Horse Industry Council statement noted.

 

[alert]

Re: Horse dies of Hendra virus; workers exposed

Re: Horse dies of Hendra virus; workers exposed

http://www.news.com.au/story/0,27574,25960055-29277,00.html

Vet in hospital with Hendra

AAP
August 21, 2009 04:00am
Text size
+ - Print Email Share Add to MySpace Add to Digg Add to del.icio.us Add to Fark Post to Facebook Add to Kwoff What are these? A ROCKHAMPTON vet readmitted to hospital after testing positive to the Hendra virus continues to be monitored while biosecurity authorities await more horse test results.
The vet came into close contact with two infected horses from J4S Equine Nursery in Cawarral, northeast of Rockhampton. Both horses died.

The unnamed vet is the seventh person ever to contract the virus. Three of those have died.

A year has passed since Brisbane vet Ben Cunneen and several horses from the Redlands Veterinary Clinic died from the virus believed to be transmitted from flying foxes to horses and from horses to humans.

In the latest outbreak, 24 horses on the J4S stud are under quarantine, despite testing negative earlier this week.

A spokesman for Biosecurity Queensland said three horses have been retested after displaying high temperatures.

The results are expected to be known today, he said.

 

[alert]

Re: Horse dies of Hendra virus; Vet tests positive, workers exposed

Re: Horse dies of Hendra virus; Vet tests positive, workers exposed

http://www.watoday.com.au/breaking-...et-remains-on-life-support-20090821-esfv.html

Hendra vet remains on life supportAugust 21, 2009 - 6:24AM
A Rockhampton vet suffering from Hendra virus remains on life support in a Brisbane hospital.

A spokesman for Princess Alexandra Hospital says veterinary surgeon Alister Rogers remains in a critical, but stable condition after testing positive to the Hendra virus.

He was flown to Brisbane on Wednesday after developing the disease despite a course of the drug ribavirin at Rockhampton Hospital.

Three other staff members from the J4S Equine Nursery in Cawarral, northeast of Rockhampton have a wait of several weeks before they can be cleared of the virus.

Mr Rogers continues to be monitored while biosecurity authorities await more horse test results.

The vet came into close contact with two infected horses, both of which died.

Mr Rogers is the seventh person ever to contract the virus. Three of those have died.

On Thursday night staff from the Redlands Veterinary Clinic met to remember Brisbane vet Ben Cunneen, who died from the virus one year ago.

In the latest outbreak, 24 horses on the J4S stud are under quarantine, despite testing negative earlier this week.

A spokesman for Biosecurity Queensland said three horses have been retested after displaying high temperatures.

The results are expected to be known on Friday, he said

 

[alert]

Re: Horse dies of Hendra virus; Vet tests positive, workers exposed

Re: Horse dies of Hendra virus; Vet tests positive, workers exposed

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/08/21/2662572.htm

Latest Hendra case revives painful memories
Posted 29 minutes ago

Map: Rockhampton 4700
The owner of a clinic where a Brisbane vet died from Hendra virus a year ago says he is devastated another vet is critically ill from the disease.

The Rockhampton vet was admitted to Brisbane's Princess Alexandra Hospital after showing severe symptoms of the virus and remains dangerously ill in isolation.

He had treated infected horses on a central Queensland property where two mares died.

Twelve months ago Brisbane vet Ben Cunneen died after treating an infected horse at the Redland's Veterinary Clinic.

Clinic owner David Lovell says staff met last night to remember him.

"They're getting together and my God they've got to hear about someone else," Mr Lovell said.

"It brings back very poignantly all the memories and the trauma all our people had to go through... and I guess to be thankful that that they've all survived but now another group of people have to go through the same thing, it's just devastating."

Mr Lovell says many horse specialists may no longer treat horses at risk from Hendra virus.

"We all know that it's an infectious disease, we all know that it's spread by flying foxes we all know that it presents in a number of different forms in horses.

"What is a reasonable approach for all of us to be concerned for our own safety and yet still be able to provide service to sick horses."

Health authorities say three other people from the affected horse stud are well and are being monitored.

Infectious diseases expert Associate Professor Joe McCormack says there is no known cure for the virus.

"There have only been the seven cases reported in the world and it's not been reported in humans outside Queensland," he said.

 

[Cairelle RN]

Re: Horse dies of Hendra virus; Vet tests positive, workers exposed

Re: Horse dies of Hendra virus; Vet tests positive, workers exposed

Okay - silly question time, courtesy of me... em

My mom's got four horses, and one of my good friends has a horse farm that averages 10+ horses in residence on any given day. I'm wondering what the chances are of Hendra showing up here in the USA? Will it stay where the bats are located? Or is this something that could travel like influenza?

Thanks for any info. :tiphat:

 

[kezza01]

Hendra Virus outbreak

Hendra Virus outbreak

I know this isn't H1N1 related - but with another virus circulating about which we seem to know very little it poses a further threat.....

Hendra virus vet critical
Article from: AAP August 21, 2009 08:00am

LATEST: A ROCKHAMPTON vet who has been diagnosed with Hendra virus remains on life support in a Brisbane hospital and is in a critical condition.

A spokesman for Princess Alexandra Hospital says veterinary surgeon Alister Rogers remains in a critical, but stable condition after testing positive to the Hendra virus.

He was flown to Brisbane on Wednesday after developing the disease despite a course of the drug ribavirin at Rockhampton Hospital. Three other staff members from the J4S Equine Nursery in Cawarral, northeast of Rockhampton have a wait of several weeks before they can be cleared of the virus.

Dr Rogers continues to be monitored while biosecurity authorities await more horse test results. The vet came into close contact with two infected horses, both of which died.

He is the seventh person ever to contract the virus. Three of those have died.

Last night staff from the Redlands Veterinary Clinic met to remember Brisbane vet Ben Cunneen, who died from the virus one year ago.

In the latest outbreak, 24 horses on the J4S stud are under quarantine, despite testing negative earlier this week.

A spokesman for Biosecurity Queensland said three horses have been retested after displaying high temperatures.

The results are expected to be known today, he said.

AusVet director Dr Nigel Perkins this morning said all people involved with horses, from owners to veterinarians, needed to implement routine precautions when dealing with any sick horse to minimise the risk of contracting Hendra Virus.

Dr Perkins told ABC Radio the vague, non-specific early symptoms of Hendra Virus in infected horses meant people did not often realise the danger until too late.

``I'm not trying to unduly alarm people (but) everyone from horse owners to veterinarians need to learn a little bit about the disease and how to protect themselves and the horses,'' he said.

Dr Perkins said although the disease was very uncommon, there had been one or two cases a year for the past few years, particularly in Queensland.

``We must implement precautions that are routine and apply to every source, (and not wait to diagnose the horse with Hendra Virus).

``All organisations (from pony clubs to professional veterinary bodies) have a role to play to disseminate information and educate people that interact with horses, and to make sure everyone knows about Hendra Virus and manage the risk effectively.''

 

[alert]

Re: Hendra Virus outbreak

Re: Hendra Virus outbreak

We have been tracking this virus for the past few days. The thread is here:

http://www.flutrackers.com/forum/showthread.php?p=283770#post283770

 

[alert]

Re: Hendra Virus outbreak

Re: Hendra Virus outbreak

NOT GOOD. It appears there are a couple more cases.

http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/que...hospital-amid-hendra-fears-20090821-esab.html

Stud workers rushed to hospital amid Hendra fears
Seriously ill ... Dr Alister Rodgers, front left, pictured with colleagues.

Christine Kellett
August 21, 2009 - 12:38PM
Page 1 of 2 Single page view
.Two staff members from a central Queensland property at the centre of a Hendra virus outbreak are being flown to a Brisbane hospital for observation.

The move comes as vet Alister Rodgers, who handled a horse at the J4S equine stud which later died from Hendra virus, remains in a critical condition in the Princess Alexandra Hospital after being diagnosed with the potentially-fatal illness.

A spokeswoman for the hospital said two of the stud's staff members who came into contact with infected horses at the stud were being flown to Brisbane for observation. A third staff member is understood not to have taken up the offer.

Earlier, the owner of a Brisbane animal clinic who lost a staff member to Hendra virus said the confirmed infection of the Rockhampton vet this week had brought back terrible memories.


Dr Ben Cunneen died one year ago yesterday and staff at his former Redlands practice gathered yesterday to mark the sad anniversary.

But Dr David Lovell, who owns the clinic where Dr Cunneen contracted the virus from an infected horse, said news that Rockhampton vet Alister Rodgers was gravely ill following the latest Hendra outbreak had been on everybody's minds.

"It brings it all back up...all the memories and all the trauma that we had to go through," Dr Lovell told ABC Radio this morning.

"It's just devastating. You wonder who the hell's going to be next."


Dr Rodgers is in Brisbane's Princess Alexandra Hospital in a critical condition after testing positive to Hendra following his close contact with infected horses at the J4S Equine Nursery in Cawarral, east of Rockhampton.

Three horse deaths at the stud since July have been attributed to the virus and four staff members, including Dr Rodgers, were considered at highest risk of catching it.

The four were given an experimental course of anti-viral drug Ribavirin, a measure Queensland's chief health officer Jeannette Young yesterday conceded was a failure.

Dr Cunneen's widow Gillian told brisbanetimes.com.au this week another animal-to-human transmission of the potentially deadly virus was deeply upsetting.

"With the incubation period of the virus there must be some very worried people out there," she said.


Dr Rodgers received Ribavirin treatment and were discharged from the Rockhampton Base Hospital on Tuesday.

But he readmitted himself into hospital the next day and was flown to the Princess Alexandra Hospital that night exhibiting symptoms.

"Ribavirin, we know, is a treatment used to minimise impact of viral infections and this is a virus,'' Dr Young said.

"It hasn't worked in preventing this individual from getting the infection but it certainly would not have caused any harm.''

She said the drug would continue to be offered to any potential Hendra cases.

"In general, anyone who has confirmed Hendra viral infection is offered supportive treatment depending on the symptoms they get,'' Dr Young said.

"There is no specific treatment we can give to Hendra viral infections but just general treatment given to people who are unwell.''

Dr Young said the J4S equine stud manager, Debbie Brown, was talking to health authorities about symptoms Ms Brown says she is experiencing.

But Dr Young said so far no one else was being retested.

It's a very difficult time for the people on that property so I can understand their concern,'' Dr Young said.

"Should any of them develop symptoms they will (also) be tested on the spot. If they don't, we will retest them three weeks after they last had exposure.''


In the latest outbreak, 24 horses on the J4S stud are under quarantine, despite testing negative earlier this week.

A spokesman for Biosecurity Queensland said three horses had been retested after displaying high temperatures.

The results were expected to be known today, he said.

 

[alert]

Re: Hendra Virus outbreak

Re: Hendra Virus outbreak

It looks like all four people given the Ribavirin were infected anyway.

http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,25960646-12377,00.html

Hendra-linked workers flown to hospitalFont Size: Decrease Increase Print Page: Print August 21, 2009
Article from: Australian Associated Press
THREE staff members from a central Queensland stud at the centre of a Hendra virus outbreak are being flown to a Brisbane hospital for observation.

Vet Alister Rodgers, who handled a horse at the J4S equine stud which later died from Hendra virus, is in a critical condition in Princess Alexandra Hospital after being diagnosed with the potentially-fatal illness.

Stud owner John Brady told ABC Radio that three of his staff members - Angela Webber, Adrian Daniels and Debbie Brown - who came into contact with infected horses at the stud were being flown to Brisbane for observation in hospital.

The trio and Dr Rodgers have already undertaken a course of the anti-viral drug Ribavirin in Rockhampton hospital.

 

[kezza01]

Re: Hendra Virus outbreak

Re: Hendra Virus outbreak

If this is not be best place to put this, please move it....

Latest Hendra case revives painful memories
Posted 7 hours 9 minutes ago
Updated 6 hours 41 minutes ago


The vet had treated infected horses on a central Queensland property where two mares died. (ABC News: Marlina Whop)

Map: Rockhampton 4700
Related Story: Hendra virus vet in critical condition Related Story: Central Qld Hendra fears 'far from over' Related Story: NSW free of Hendra virus The owner of a clinic where a Brisbane vet died from Hendra virus a year ago says he is devastated another vet is critically ill from the disease.

The Rockhampton vet was admitted to Brisbane's Princess Alexandra Hospital after showing severe symptoms of the virus and remains dangerously ill in isolation.

He had treated infected horses on a central Queensland property where two mares died.

Twelve months ago Brisbane vet Ben Cunneen died after treating an infected horse at the Redland's Veterinary Clinic.

Clinic owner David Lovell says staff met last night to remember him.

"They're getting together and my God they've got to hear about someone else," Mr Lovell said.

"It brings back very poignantly all the memories and the trauma all our people had to go through... and I guess to be thankful that that they've all survived but now another group of people have to go through the same thing, it's just devastating."

Mr Lovell says many horse specialists may no longer treat horses at risk from Hendra virus.

"We all know that it's an infectious disease, we all know that it's spread by flying foxes we all know that it presents in a number of different forms in horses.

"What is a reasonable approach for all of us to be concerned for our own safety and yet still be able to provide service to sick horses."

Health authorities say three other people from the affected horse stud are well and are being monitored.

Infectious diseases expert Associate Professor Joe McCormack says there is no known cure for the virus.

"There have only been the seven cases reported in the world and it's not been reported in humans outside Queensland," he said.

 

[kezza01]

Re: Horse dies of Hendra virus; Vet tests positive, workers exposed

Re: Horse dies of Hendra virus; Vet tests positive, workers exposed

Here's some information from the Queensland Department of Primary Industries related to research they are currently aware of regarding Hendra Virus:

Hendra virus: the initial research

This information sheet reports the emergence of Hendra virus in horses, experimental studies in horses and other animals, and identification of a natural host of the virus.


A new disease
The virus was first isolated in September 1994 from horses by the Australian Animal Health Laboratory, the Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries' (DPI&F's) Animal Research Institute, and Queensland Health. Although originally classified as a Morbillivirus, the virus has now been reclassified and named Hendra virus (HeV), a member of a new genus (Henipavirus) in the family Paramyxoviridae. The name Hendra reflects the name of the Brisbane suburb where the disease was first detected.

The isolation of this virus was achieved as part of an emergency disease outbreak investigation conducted by the Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries, Queensland (DPI&F).

In the outbreak, in September 1994 in Brisbane, 13 horses died as a result of infection with the previously unknown HeV. A further seven horses were shown to have been infected by the virus and, to avoid possible relapse and further transmission, these horses were humanely destroyed.

The first death that was attributed to the infection was a mare, 'Drama Series', who died on 9 September 1994 after a short illness (first noticed to be ill on 7 September 1994). The virus produced very severe damage to the lungs with the accumulation of massive amounts of fluid.

Two people who had close contact with 'Drama Series' when she was ill also became infected with the virus and suffered respiratory illness, in one case with fatal consequences.

The DPI&F tested over 4500 stabled and paddocked horses and a wide range of other animal species for exposure to HeV with negative results. This testing initially concentrated on the site where 'Drama Series' was thought to have become sick, but later extended across the state.

Back to top

An earlier outbreak identified
During October 1995, a third, fatal human infection with HeV was diagnosed. The man came from a Mackay property where two horses had been diagnosed as dying from avocado poisoning and snakebite during August 1994.

By the end of 1995, new tests had been developed allowing tissues preserved in formaldehyde to be tested for evidence of the HeV agent. Using these tests, both horses were shown to have been infected by the virus, and enough material had been saved from one of these horses to show that HeV was indeed the cause of death.

The diagnosed man had been ill at about the same time as his horses. He had close contact with the horses before and after their deaths.

The Mackay horses died about four weeks prior to 'Drama Series' becoming ill in Brisbane, and are considered to be the earliest known cases in horses. The two episodes (Hendra and Mackay) are closely clustered in time, but geographically are about 800 km apart. Despite lengthy investigation, no direct link has been made between the two occurrences.

Subsequent cases
In January 1999, a thoroughbred mare in north Queensland, used for polocrosse, became ill with facial swellings and died suddenly. Profuse quantities of yellowish froth poured from the mare's nostrils after death. A series of tests performed at AAHL confirmed HeV to be present in formalised samples.

In late 2004, in two separate incidents in north Queensland, a further two horses were fatally infected and a human case non-fatally infected. The diagnosis was confirmed in one horse and presumptive in the second, based on history, clinical signs, gross pathology, and on the detection of a rising antibody titre to HeV in the attending veterinarian.

Investigations
Experimental challenge of a range of animals with HeV showed that the disease could be reproduced artificially in cats and guinea pigs. A subsequent survey of 500 cats from the Brisbane metropolitan area showed that none tested positive for HeV.

A retrospective study of specimens submitted to laboratories in Queensland going back as many years as possible has looked for cases that may have been caused by HeV but which were not diagnosed as such at the time. No cases have been found.

Sporadic HeV infection in horses is expected to continue. An ongoing watch for possible future cases will be maintained.

Back to top

Experimental studies
Work at the Australian Animal Health Laboratory (AAHL), which was partially funded by DPI&F, has shown that horses can be experimentally infected by the nasal/oral route and can excrete HeV in the urine and saliva. It is possible to transmit HeV from experimentally infected cats to horses, but experimental transmission from horse to horse, or from horses to cats, could not be demonstrated. Although grey-headed fruit bats develop subclinical disease when experimentally infected with HeV, transmission from these bats to horses could not be demonstrated.

Virus has also been identified in placenta and foetal tissues of experimentally infected pregnant guinea pigs and flying foxes.

Fruit bats: a natural host
Following the negative results of testing a wide range of animal species for infection with HeV, the search was focused on animals present in both Mackay and Brisbane and with possible contact with horses. Fruit bats (Pteropus spp.), commonly known as flying foxes, fitted these criteria and subsequent screening showed antibodies to HeV in all four species of flying fox occurring on mainland Australia. Follow-up studies showed an antibody prevalence of between 20-50 % in flying fox populations across their mainland distribution. The virus has also been isolated from three species of flying foxes. These findings indicate that flying foxes are a natural host of Hendra virus.

Spillover of HeV to horses is a rare event. Flying foxes are protected native fauna, widely distributed in Australia (and south-east Asia and India). Current research seeks to understand how infection is maintained in flying fox populations and to identify factors associated with the sporadic spillover to horses, to enable better management of the risk of spillover.

It appears that flying foxes do not pose a significant risk in respect to passing this virus directly to people. This contention is based on the negative results of testing of 130 people, all with close contact with flying foxes and the fact that all human cases of infection with HeV appear to have been contracted from acutely ill horses. Nonetheless, because of the risk of contracting another (fatal) infection, Australian bat lyssavirus, from flying foxes (and other bats), members of the general public should not handle flying foxes or any other bats. Injured or sick bats should be reported to Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service, who have a network of skilled, vaccinated personnel.

 

[alert]

Re: Hendra Virus outbreak

Re: Hendra Virus outbreak

I sent the moderator a PM - the two threads should be merged shortly.

 

[alert]

Re: Horse dies of Hendra virus; Vet tests positive, workers exposed

Re: Horse dies of Hendra virus; Vet tests positive, workers exposed

http://www.abc.net.au/worldtoday/content/2009/s2663004.htm

Qld Hendra victim fights for life
Nicole Butler reported this story on Friday, August 21, 2009 12:18:00

Listen to MP3 of this story ( minutes)
Alternate WMA version | MP3 download
ELEANOR HALL: There is no known cure for the mysterious hendra virus and so far half of the people who have contracted it have died.

Now a central Queensland vet is fighting for his life after becoming the seventh person in the world to contract the disease.

Alister Rodgers had undergone an experimental preventative treatment but he became acutely ill on Wednesday.

His colleagues at the horse stud near Rockhampton are terrified they'll also become infected and they're critical about the way Queensland Health has handled the deadly outbreak.

In Brisbane, Nicole Butler reports.

NICOLE BUTLER: Hendra virus is rare, it's deadly, and it?s only ever struck in Queensland.

Before this week only six people have ever contracted the disease: three of them have died.

Yesterday news broke of a seventh case. Central Queensland veterinary surgeon Alister Rodgers is fighting for his life in hospital.

JOHN BRADY: We're absolutely devastated. I mean the Health Department have been very clear in that they know very, very little about this virus. They know very little about it and you know it's just down to it can strike so very, very quick.

NICOLE BUTLER: John Brady owns the Cawarral stud where Dr Rodgers was one of four workers exposed to the bodily fluids of horses with the hendra virus.

The group had been admitted to the nearby Rockhampton Base Hospital for an experimental treatment in the hope it would prevent them developing the virus.

Stud manager Debbie Brown was one of the four and she noticed Dr Rodgers was very sick on Wednesday.

DEBBIE BROWN: He was ill and I said you can't go home, what are you doing? He said, "I've got to go, you know, I'm finished my treatment". And I said to them, I said "You can't send him home, he's sick." And a comment was made that he looked that way when he came in.

NICOLE BUTLER: Dr Rodgers was flown to Brisbane's Princess Alexandra Hospital that night where he remains dangerously ill.

While there's never been a case of human-to-human transmission of hendra the vet is being treated in isolation.

A short time ago his three colleagues began their journeys to the PA Hospital. They're not showing symptoms of the disease but they're terrified and Queensland Health has offered to place them under observation.

Infectious diseases expert Joe McCormack says hendra can produce a range of symptoms.

JOE MCCORMACK: The features are either encephalitis, pneumonia or a very asymptomatic or a flu-like illness with low-grade symptoms.

NICOLE BUTLER: Hendra virus has a long incubation period of several weeks.

Associate professor McCormack says it's understandable that Dr Rodgers's colleagues are so frightened.

JOE MCCORMACK: If you know you've had significant exposure yes it will be worrying until the, as time goes by as to whether you might be affected of not.

NICOLE BUTLER: Staff at a Redlands veterinary practice on Brisbane's Bayside empathise with the terror striking staff at the Cawarral stud. A year ago yesterday one of their colleagues Ben Cunneen became the third person in the world to die of hendra virus.

The Redlands clinic owner David Lovell says everyone there is trying to come to terms with the latest outbreak.

DAVID LOVELL: Brings back very poignantly all the memories and the trauma that all our people had to go through and now for them I guess to be thankful that they've all survived. But to think another group of people have to go through the same thing, it's just devastating.

You know the biggest fear and again this is selfish and self-centred I guess, but you know when one of your members become infected you wonder who the hell's going to be next. It?s an insidious thing.

NICOLE BUTLER: From the outset of the latest hendra outbreak staff at the Cawarral stud have been highly critical of Queensland Health. They say the horses on the property were being given more attention than the workers, especially after they were told to go to their local GPs to be tested for the deadly disease.

They're also angry about the way the experimental medical treatment was carried out. They say it wasn't properly monitored and that they were discharged from hospital while still sick from the trial.

This morning Queensland's Health Minister Paul Lucas came to his department's defence.

PAUL LUCAS: Well I'm not aware of anything that Queensland Health has done that has not been absolutely in the best interest of the community and patients. Hendra virus is a very rare condition however it is a very serious one and that is why Queensland Health are taking it seriously.

EDMOND ROY: Queensland Health Minister Paul Lucas ending Nicole Butler?s report.

 

[alert]

Re: Horse dies of Hendra virus; Vet tests positive, workers exposed

Re: Horse dies of Hendra virus; Vet tests positive, workers exposed

Maybe only one person is ill. Note the bold text.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/08/21/2663108.htm?section=justin

Hendra scare: stud workers head to hospital
Posted 4 hours 12 minutes ago
Updated 3 hours 38 minutes ago


The three stud workers, who handled horses that died from the Hendra virus on the Cawarral property, will enter hospital for observation. (ABC TV News)

Map: Rockhampton 4700
Related Story: Hendra virus vet in critical condition Related Story: Hendra patients 'treated like guinea pigs' Related Link: Hendra virus - factbox Three workers from a central Queensland horse stud quarantined by Hendra virus are on their way to Brisbane for hospital observation.

Vet Alister Rodgers and three other horse stud workers were released from the Rockhampton Hospital this week after receiving an experimental preventative treatment for Hendra virus.

But Mr Rodgers became unwell and is now critically ill in the intensive care unit at Brisbane's Princess Alexandra Hospital.

Debbie Brown, Adrian Daniels and Angela Webber are not showing symptoms of the virus, but are being flown to Brisbane and will be admitted to the PA Hospital for observation.

Infectious diseases expert Associate Professor Joe McCormack says there is no known cure for the virus.

"There have only been the seven cases reported in the world and it's not been reported in humans outside Queensland," he said.

John Brady owns the Cawarral stud where Dr Rodgers was exposed to the bodily fluids infected horses.

"We're absolutely devastated. I mean, the Health Department have been very clear in that they know very, very little about this virus," he said.

"They know very little about it and it can strike very, very quickly."

Stud manager Debbie Brown was one of the other three people who were exposed to the virus.

She says she noticed Dr Rodgers was very sick on Wednesday.

"He was ill and I said 'you can't go home, what are you doing?' And he said 'I've got to go, I've finished my treatment'," she said.

"And I said to them [the department] 'you can't send him home, he's sick', and a comment was made that he looked that way when he came in."

While there has never been a case of human-to-human transmission of Hendra, Dr Rodgers is being treated in isolation.

Hendra can produce a range of symptoms such as encephalitis, pneumonia or a very asymptomatic or flu-like illness with low-grade symptoms.

The virus has a long incubation period of several weeks.


Qld Health criticism

From the outset staff at the Cawarral stud have been highly critical of Queensland Health.

They say the horses on the property were being given more attention than the workers, especially after they were told to go to their local GPs to be tested for the deadly disease.

They are also angry about the way the experimental medical treatment was carried out.

They say it was not properly monitored and they were discharged from hospital while still sick from the trial.

This morning Queensland Health Minister Paul Lucas came to his department's defence

"I'm not aware of anything that Queensland Health has done that has not been absolutely in the best interest of the community and patients," he said.

"Hendra virus is a very rare condition, however it is a very serious one and that is why Queensland Health are taking it seriously."


Wounds reopen

Last year Brisbane vet Ben Cunneen died after contracting Hendra virus from an infected horse he was treating at the Redland's Veterinary Clinic.

The clinic's owner David Lovell said he was devastated another vet was critically ill from the disease.

He said staff met last night to remember Mr Cunneen.

"They're getting together and my God they've got to hear about someone else," he said.

"It brings back very poignantly all the memories and the trauma all our people had to go through ... and I guess to be thankful that they've all survived but now another group of people have to go through the same thing - it's just devastating."

Mr Lovell says many horse specialists may no longer treat horses at risk from Hendra virus.

"We all know that it's an infectious disease; we all know that it's spread by flying foxes; we all know that it presents in a number of different forms in horses.

"What is a reasonable approach for all of us [is] to be concerned for our own safety and yet still be able to provide service to sick horses."

Tags: health, diseases-and-disorders, rural , veterinary-medicine, australia, qld, brisbane-4000, rockhampton-4700

 

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Re: Horse dies of Hendra virus; Vet tests positive, workers exposed

Re: Horse dies of Hendra virus; Vet tests positive, workers exposed

http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,25964263-601,00.html

Agonising wait for woman exposed to HendraFont Size: Decrease Increase Print Page: Print Natasha Bita | August 22, 2009
Article from: The Australian
SMEARED in the blood and mucus of a haemorrhaging horse, Debbie Brown risked her life to comfort the dying mare.

"I couldn't stay away from her," the stud manager recalled just a few days after the thoroughbred, Regal Princess, died of the deadly bat-borne Hendra virus at a property outside Rockhampton a fortnight ago.

"She was choking on the stable door. She was struggling for life and I had to try to help her. It was horrid. It was so violent. I don't care if I was suited up or not, I would do exactly the same thing, as stupid as it may be, I don't care."

That was last week. Last night, distraught and ailing, Ms Brown, swathed in a surgical gown and mask, was admitted to the same Brisbane hospital where the vet who warned her to "keep away" from her convulsing horse was clinging to life in an induced coma.

Alister Rodgers, a vet of 30 years' experience, had diagnosed a sick filly with a snake bite about a week before Royal Princess fell ill. Last night, he was in a critical condition in isolation, in the intensive care unit of Brisbane's infectious diseases centre, the Princess Alexandra Hospital.

In a ward nearby are Ms Brown and two of her colleagues -- Adrian Daniels and young mother Angela Webber -- all flown in by the Royal Flying Doctor Service yesterday for observation.

Cleared of a Hendra viral infection only a week ago, they are sweating on the results of new blood tests taken yesterday.

The exotic bat-borne virus has no cure. "Deb's absolutely scared stiff," Ms Brown's sister, Vicki O'Flynn, told The Weekend Australian last night.

"She is so worried. She's looking really thin. She's incredibly pale. She can't eat. I cooked her a roast for dinner last night and the dogs ate well."

Ms O'Flynn said her sister had woken on Thursday with a "severe headache" and asked her to take her to the doctor. The GP referred her to Rockhampton hospital.

"Deb is as tough as old nails," she said. "It takes a lot for her to complain. The doctors (at the hospital) were terrific. They said it could be side-effects from the medicine they treated her with, or it could be a great deal to do with the stress she was under."

Dr Rodgers and the three stud workers had checked out of Rockhampton hospital earlier this week, after a five-day experimental treatment with the anti-viral drug Ribavirin. But when the horse handlers reported for work on Wednesday, their worried boss ordered them straight home.

John Brady, a retired mining risk-management specialist who owns the J4S Equine Nursery at Cawarral, said yesterday all three were unwell and had lost weight.

After "a lot of talking" yesterday, Mr Brady convinced the three to fly to Brisbane for observation by specialists in infectious diseases.

"They were let out of hospital with a certificate as fit to return to work, but I said I wouldn't accept that," Mr Brady told The Weekend Australian.

"They couldn't even write their own names. The signs and symptoms were something that had me extremely worried. They've been sick and vomiting and shaking. They've lost 5kg or more -- each. They've had headaches.

"Debbie was so concerned she went and bought her own digital thermometer and was taking her own temperature every half-hour."

Mr Brady said he was most concerned about what he described as the "mental confusion" of his staff.

"To not be able to write your own name, to stop halfway through a sentence and forget what they're talking about -- they're neurological and that's a symptom of the virus," he said.

Queensland Health describes the symptoms of Hendra virus in humans as a flu-like illness, and brain inflammation that can manifest as headache, high fever and drowsiness, sometimes progressing to convulsions or coma.

Of the seven people known to have been infected with Hendra virus since its discovery 15 years ago, three have died: Brisbane horse trainer Vic Rail, Mackay cane farmer Mark Preston and Brisbane vet Ben Cunneen, whose death a year ago this week has a special poignancy.

Veterinary nurse Natalie Boehm, who assisted Cunneen in treating a Hendra-infected horse, survived after weeks in intensive care, but has still not fully recovered. Ms Boehm, 22, yesterday recalled her first symptoms as having trouble walking and talking.

"Not knowing what's going to happen is the hard bit," she said.

Dr Rodgers's family -- his wife Linda and children Courtney and Duncan -- said they were "concerned and distressed" about claims by Mr Brady and Ms Brown that the vet had been let out of Rockhampton hospital too early.

"For most of the past 48 hours, we have been preoccupied with the seriousness of Alister's condition," they said in a statement released by the Princess Alexandra Hospital.

"But we have been concerned and distressed also about claims that Alister should not have been released from Rockhampton Hospital after completing a trial course of anti-viral medication.

"Alister showed no symptoms that are distinctive of Hendra virus when he was discharged, although he understandably remained anxious -- as anyone would in such a situation.

"Based on the previous pathology of this virus, he was thought to be safe. Those who have cared for him and have fought for his life should not be condemned for this."

Mr Brady has been furious with Queensland Health from day one, when his anxious staff were told to visit a GP. Only after he "blew up" at a Queensland Health official were health workers sent to his property to test them for Hendra virus and provide counselling.

Mr Brady, who hobbles with a cane, has advanced heart disease. He is not supposed to get stressed. The Hendra breakout was confirmed while his wife, Christine, was in a Brisbane hospital recovering from major spinal surgery.

Now he is caring for 25 horses under quarantine on his own. Although DPI workers monitor the horses, they are not responsible for their day-to-day care.

Mr Brady considers his staff as family. "They wouldn't leave because they didn't want me to look after the horses by myself," he said.

"I've got three mares in foal in the paddock and they (local DPI officials) told me straight that if those mares get into difficulty, shoot them from a distance. It's beyond belief."

Queensland's chief veterinary officer Rick Symons said last night he did not have enough qualified staff to carry out routine care for horses that would remain in quarantine for at least another fortnight. He appealed to the equine industry to help out.

"Mr Brady's responsible for the animals on his property," Dr Symons said. "If they have a difficult foaling they do present a risk to him, because we're treating every animal as if it's infected."

So far, two horses on the Cawarral property have been confirmed as having died from Hendra virus.

Scientists remain baffled as to how fruit bats transmit the rare virus to horses, but theories include placental material, urine or faeces contaminating horses' food or water containers. They believe humans catch the virus from the bodily fluids of infected horses.

The J4S stud is shaded by blossoming gum trees that attract flying foxes, which feast on the nectar each night. The DPI has tested the urine of bats in a mangrove colony a half-hour drive away at Yeppoon, but does not yet have the results.

Ms Brown believes bats defecated or urinated in the horses' food or water dishes. Regal Princess, which was in endurance training, seemed uncharacteristically lazy the day before she died. Within 24 hours, the horse lay dead, triggering a health emergency that has left a man fighting for his life and three of his friends fearing for theirs.

 

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Re: Horse dies of Hendra virus; Vet tests positive, workers exposed

Re: Horse dies of Hendra virus; Vet tests positive, workers exposed

Note the hemorrhagic symptoms (the cut that won't stop bleeding). There's going to be more confirmed infections here. I hope there isn't going to be a second generation of cases from contact with her blod (the virus can spread that way).

http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,27574,25960162-3102,00.html

Hendra virus: Vet critical, three staff flown to BrisbaneArticle from: Font size: Decrease Increase Email article: Email Print article: Print Natalie Gregg
August 22, 2009 12:00am

POUNDING headaches, vomiting and the shakes put three people exposed to Hendra virus in hospital, joining vet Alister Rodgers who is critically ill.

Stud workers Angela Webber, 24, Debbie Brown, 46, and Adrian Daniels, 49, were flown by the Royal Flying Doctor Service to the Princess Alexandra Hospital for observation.

Dr Rodgers, who is in a coma, and the workers were exposed to the blood of infected horses which died on a Cawarral stud, near Rockhampton in central Queensland.

They have been suffering chronic headaches since they left Rockhampton hospital on Monday after receiving the anti-viral drug ribavirin, which is unproven in Hendra virus cases.

Ms Brown said yesterday that she had been vomiting, and her headaches had worsened.

She has nose bleeds and a cut that won't stop bleeding.

The blood of the three horses that died of the disease also failed to clot.

"It's been really tough – really, really emotional," Ms Brown said. "I can't even describe it. It's been horrible."

Ms Brown spent yesterday morning with her mother, sister and two children, Jack, 14, and Shanowah, 17, on her Cawarral property wondering if she would ever come home.

Ms Webber, 24, said goodbye to her two-year-old daughter Dakota, not knowing when she would see her again.

The foal handler was exposed to the blood of the same filly as Dr Rodgers

Distraught by the animal's death, Ms Webber's hands were covered in blood as she patted the filly goodbye.

Wiping the blood on her jeans, she stood out in a paddock and lit a cigarette.

Ms Webber said yesterday she felt weak with shakes, headaches and a sore throat, and was trying to be positive.

"I've just tried not to think about it, spending as much time with my daughter and fiance and just joking around," she said.

"My daughter is so confused at the moment and doesn't understand why mummy is leaving."

Three of the seven people infected with Hendra virus have died, since it was discovered in Queensland in 1994.

Humans catch the disease from close contact with horses, and fruit bats host the virus.

Mr Daniels and Ms Brown were exposed to the filly and two other horses that died from the virus on August 7 and 8.

On Thursday night a worried Ms Brown contacted Dr Geoffrey Playford, the infectious diseases expert who is treating Dr Rodgers.

Dr Playford encouraged Ms Brown and the other two to be admitted to the PA so he could monitor their condition.

Dr Rodger's family yesterday released a statement expressing their "immense gratitude" to those who had shown support for the Rockhampton vet.

"Alister would be deeply touched. The response has been overwhelming and has come from friends, acquaintances and even strangers."

Ms Brown said Dr Rodgers was an experienced vet who had predicted the third horse that died would be diagnosed with Hendra virus.

Dr Rodgers had been unwell since being admitted to hospital for preventative treatment. He was discharged on Monday but re-admitted a day later.

 

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Re: Horse dies of Hendra virus; Vet tests positive, workers exposed

Re: Horse dies of Hendra virus; Vet tests positive, workers exposed

http://www.gladstoneobserver.com.au/story/2009/08/22/virus-victim-fights-for-life/

Hendra victim fights for life
Adam Wratten Rockhampton | 22nd August 2009

Print larger | smallerAS Rockhampton vet Dr Alister Rodgers fights for his life in a Brisbane Hospital, his family yesterday said they had been touched by the overwhelming support from a caring city.

The community is desperately hoping Dr Rodgers can overcome the deadly Hendra virus which he contracted after handling a horse which later died from the virus at the J4S equine stud at 8 Cawarral.

Yesterday afternoon he was in a critical condition in Princess Alexandra Hospital's intensive care unit.

Meanwhile, three horse stud workers at risk of contracting the virus from the property have been transferred to the same Brisbane hospital.

A statement by Linda, Courtney and Duncan Rodgers said the family was grateful for the support during this tough time.

?We wish to express our immense gratitude to every person who has supported Alister and our family,? they said.

?The response has been overwhelming and has come from friends, acquaintances and even strangers.

?The people of Rockhampton - especially his colleagues at Rockhampton Veterinary Clinic, those who cared for him at Rockhampton Hospital and many veterinary colleagues - will always remain special to us.?

The family said their thoughts were also with the other Rockhampton people flown to Brisbane.

?For most of the last 48 hours, we have been pre-occupied with the seriousness of Alister's condition,? they said.

?But we have been concerned and distressed also about claims that Alister should not have been released from Rockhampton Hospital after completing a trial course of anti-viral medication.

?Alister showed no symptoms that are distinctive of Hendra virus when he was discharged, although he understandably remained anxious - as anyone would in such a situation.?

 

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Re: Horse dies of Hendra virus; Vet tests positive, workers exposed

Re: Horse dies of Hendra virus; Vet tests positive, workers exposed

Note the bold text. H2H transmission of this virus is possible, although it has not yet been recorded.

http://www.abc.net.au/am/content/2009/s2663566.htm

Hendra virus family speaks out
Annie Guest reported this story on Saturday, August 22, 2009 08:09:00

Listen to MP3 of this story ( minutes)
Alternate WMA version | MP3 download
ELIZABETH JACKSON: The family of a gravely ill Queensland horse vet have appealed for privacy as the vet battles the potentially deadly Hendra virus.

Meanwhile, three people who worked at the same horse stud have spent their first night in a Brisbane hospital being monitored for signs of the illness.

Annie Guest reports from Brisbane.

ANNIE GUEST: Four people who work on a Central Queensland horse stud are in Brisbane's Princess Alexandra Hospital. Among them is Alister Rodgers. He's in intensive care.

His family members Linda, Courtney and Duncan Rodgers have released a written statement, read here by an actor.

RODGERS FAMILY STATEMENT (voiceover): We wish to express our immense gratitude to every person who has supported Alister and our family during his illness. Alister would be deeply touched.

ANNIE GUEST: Alister Rodgers was performing veterinary work at the horse stud before he got Hendra virus; a disease suspected of being passed from bats to horses to people.

In the past fortnight two horses there have died and others have been sick. Alister Rodgers and three stud workers had a trial of anti-viral drugs last weekend, and the stud's owner John Brady has criticised their treatment.

JOHN BRADY: Before he was discharged, he was sitting there and I said then that, you know, he wasn't a well man and I didn't believe that, you know, he should have been out of hospital.

ANNIE GUEST: But in their written statement, Alister Rodger's family disputes that.

RODGERS FAMILY STATEMENT (voiceover): For most of the last 48 hours we have been pre-occupied with the seriousness of Alister's condition, but we have been concerned and distressed also about claims that Alister should not have been released from Rockhampton hospital after completing a trial course of anti-viral medication.

ANNIE GUEST: The vet's family says he was not showing symptoms of the virus. Health authorities also defended their handling of the horse workers this week, after last week apologising for their approach.

Meanwhile, with the man he describes as a first class vet gravely ill, John Brady says it was sensible for the three other horse workers to be near expert care.

JOHN BRADY: If our staff doesn't get closely monitored then... and be in a position where they can received some treatment, then you know, they run a very grave risk of being in trouble.

ANNIE GUEST: The trio were flown to Brisbane by air ambulance late yesterday and are being monitored for signs of Hendra virus. And now their boss is facing fears about his own health.

JOHN BRADY: The next incubation period is in about 8 days time, so you know, I am very nervous myself.

ANNIE GUEST: Last year Brisbane vet Ben Cuneen died of Hendra virus. Half of the six people who've contracted the disease since the first outbreak in 1994 have died.

ELIZABETH JACKSON: Annie Guest reporting from Brisbane.
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Re: Horse dies of Hendra virus; Vet tests positive, workers exposed

Re: Horse dies of Hendra virus; Vet tests positive, workers exposed

http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/que...orkers-to-stay-in-hospital-20090822-eu81.html

Three horse stud workers to stay in hospital

Penny Brand
August 22, 2009 - 11:44AM .
Three horse stud workers exposed to the deadly Hendra virus will remain this weekend in a Brisbane hospital, where a Rockhampton vet is on life support.

Family are at the bedside of Dr Alister Rodgers who is on a ventilator and in a "very critical" condition at the Princess Alexandra Hospital.

Hospital spokesman Shawn Birgan said on Saturday morning that the three stud workers would remain in hospital for observation for at least the weekend.

"The (three workers) are awake and in a stable condition," Mr Birgan said.

"They are being observed and their condition has not changed since yesterday."

Mr Birgan would not comment further on the condition of the stud workers.

Dr Rodgers contracted the virus from an infected horse at J4S horse stud in Cawarral, northeast of Rockhampton.

He was flown to Brisbane on Wednesday after developing the disease despite a course of the drug ribavirin at Rockhampton Hospital.

The three stud workers, including stud manager Debbie Brown, were flown to the Princess Alexandra Hospital on Friday afternoon.

All three had close contact with two infected horses on the property.

Both horses have since died.