Queensland, Australia: Two horses euthanized after contracting Australian Bat Lyssavirus

[Ronan Kelly]

Microbats links to 'world first' deadly virus death
Georja Ryan 17th May 2013 3:53 PM

TWO horses have been euthanased in the Southern Downs after testing positive to Australian Bat Lyssavirus, in what is believed to be a world first.

APN understands that the virus is most likely to have come from microbats in the area.

Biosecurity Queensland is putting the the property in quarantine.

One horse was believed to be euthanased on May 11 after falling ill and a second horse was also put down after showing similar symptoms five days earlier.

There is believed to be 20 other horses on the property who are potentially infected with the deadly virus.
...
http://www.warwickdailynews.com.au/news/two-horses-put-down-world-first-deadly-virus-scare/1872174/

Australia's deadly lyssavirus infects first horse
POSTED: 17 May 2013 4:28 PM

SYDNEY: Australia reported its first ever case of the deadly bat-borne lyssavirus in a horse Friday, warning that transmission to humans was possible as it quarantined a property.

Biosecurity Queensland said the horse was euthanized last week after falling ill with what was initially suspected to be infection with another deadly virus, Hendra, which has killed four Australians since its discovery in 1994.

Tests were negative for Hendra but came back positive for Australian bat lyssavirus (ABLV) -- the first time a horse has been known to contract the disease, similar to rabies, which is even more fatal to humans than Hendra.
...
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/health/australia-s-deadly-lyssavirus-infects-fi/678356.html

 

[Ronan Kelly]

Re: Queensland, Australia: Two horses euthanized after contracting Australian Bat Lyssavirus

From Biosecurity Queensland's facebook page; https://www.facebook.com/notes/bios...rse-confirmed-with-lyssavirus/544776308908913

Horse confirmed with lyssavirus
by Biosecurity Queensland (Notes) on Friday, May 17, 2013 at 2:04am
Biosecurity Queensland is quarantining a property on the Southern Downs after a horse tested positive to Australian Bat Lyssavirus (ABLV).

Chief Biosecurity officer Dr Jim Thompson said the horse was euthanased on 11 May after falling ill.

?It tested negative for Hendra virus infection but further testing returned a positive result for ABLV,? he said.

?Another horse showing similar symptoms was euthanased at the same property five days earlier.

?There are 20 other horses on the property. The vet involved in both cases used PPE and took appropriate precautions.

?The site will remain under quarantine while further testing is conducted on the remaining horses.

?ABLV is carried by bats and flying foxes.?

Staff from the Darling Downs Hospital and Health Service Public Health Unit will visit this property to assess the situation and identify any human potentially exposed to this horse.

The public health staff will interview all people identified as having been in contact with the horse to determine whether any post-exposure treatment is required.

Chief Health Officer Dr Jeannette Young said it is important to remember that human cases of Lyssavirus are incredibly rare.

?There have only been three recorded cases in Australia, all in Queensland, and sadly, all three people passed away,? Dr Young said.

?All three cases were the result of direct exposure to bats with Lyssavirus. This is the first case where Australian Bat lyssavirus has been identified in a horse, although we know from overseas that horses can be infected with rabies. There is a theoretical possibility that transmission to humans could occur.

?We do however have a preventative treatment that is effective in any person not displaying symptoms of the virus.

?Warwick and Toowoomba Hospitals will provide a free course of this preventative treatment to anyone who public health staff determine was in close contact with this dead horse resulting in a risk of exposure to the virus. Simply patting a horse would not constitute exposure.?

People who have had a potential exposure to ABLV require an injection of rabies immunoglobulin and a series of four rabies vaccine injections.

Anyone with a weakened immune system will require a further (fifth) dose of vaccine and follow up blood tests to confirm their immunity.

This course of treatment is also known as post-exposure prophylaxis.

Any Darling Downs local who believes they have been in direct contact with, or in close proximity to this horse, can also contact 13 HEALTH (13 43 25 84) for advice.

Staff at 13 HEALTH will help determine whether any further action, including testing or treatment, is required.

 

[Shiloh]

Re: Queensland, Australia: Two horses euthanized after contracting Australian Bat Lyssavirus

Source: http://www.baysidebulletin.com.au/s...or-horse-to-human-lyssavirus-infection/?cs=12

Questions over potential for horse to human lyssavirus infection
By Marissa Calligeros
May 17, 2013, 7:33 p.m.

It's too early to tell whether the deadly Australian bat lyssavirus could be transferred from horses to humans, health authorities say...

...Queensland's chief health officer Jeannette Young said there was no evidence to suggest the virus could spread from horses to humans, but noted it was theoretically possible.

She said health officers would look for any overseas examples of transmission from horses to humans.

Six people who been in contact with the horse will be offered preventative treatments, but have not been quarantined, Dr Young said...

 

[Ronan Kelly]

Re: Queensland, Australia: Two horses euthanized after contracting Australian Bat Lyssavirus

No bats found on property where horse died from lyssavirus
Updated Sun May 19, 2013 7:59am AEST

No bats have been found on a southern Queensland property where a horse died from the bat-borne lyssavirus.

...

However he says he is mystified by the deaths because there is no evidence of bats found on the property.

"We've scoured the property from one end to the other and found no bats," he said.

"So it is suggested, of course, given we're dealing with a bat virus that that's probably the cause, but we've certainly got no evidence of that on the property.
...

"We have been offered and taken up the offer of vaccination for rabies virus which is somewhat akin to lyssavirus and we've been reassured and I'm very happy to take that reassurance that that treatment will protect us completely," he said.

...
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-05-19/no-bats-found-on-lyssavirus-horse-death-property/4698494

Experts examine horse centre with lyssavirus case
Date
May 19, 2013 - 5:39PM
Read later
Petrina Berr

...
??We are in an area that?s believed to be free of bats,?? Dr Osborne said.
??We don?t have many trees on the property and we?ve taken care not to plant fruit trees or anything that attracts bats.
??No one knows if bats fly through here overnight but we certainly haven?t seen them and my neighbours are of the same opinion. It?s very puzzling.??
Dr Osborne could not recall obvious bites or scratches on the two dead horses.
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He said a third horse kept in the same paddock as the two sick horses had not contracted the virus.
AAP


Read more: http://www.world-news.me/news/queen...isbanetimes_com_au&key=eeRq0SL9#ixzz2TjpQPXZz