Hendra virus

Hendra Virus Vaccine

A Hendra virus vaccine for horses produced by a commercial manufacturer was released on Thursday 1 November 2012. Vaccination is the single most effective way of reducing the risk of Hendra virus infection in horses. Human infection and death have occurred following high-level exposure to body fluids from an infected horse. Vaccinating horses is an important measure to prevent this occurring and provides a public health and workplace health and safety benefit.

The vaccine has been released under special conditions and only veterinarians who have completed an online training module managed by the manufacturer will be accredited to order and administer the vaccine.

For more information see:

• Hendra virus vaccine information for horse owners
• Hendra virus vaccine information for vets

Current situation in NSW June 2013

On 5 June 2013 a horse on a property at Macksville died of Hendra virus infection.

In 2011 ten horses on eight properties died due to infection with Hendra virus. These cases occurred between June 30 and August 28. All properties affected were in north eastern NSW, in the localities of Wollongbar, Macksville, Lismore, Mullumbimby and Ballina.

Horse owners should remain vigilant and continue to take steps to minimise exposure of their horses. Vaccination is the single most effective way of reducing the risk of Hendra virus infection in horses. Horses should be kept away from flowering and fruiting trees that are attractive to bats.  Any fruit lying underneath trees should be picked up and disposed of before the horses are returned to the paddock.

General information on Hendra virus

• Questions and Answers
• Questions and Answers - Domestic animals
• Hendra virus factsheet
• Queensland Horse Council factsheet: Property design (www.qldhorsecouncil.com)
• Queensland Horse Council factsheet: Bats and trees (www.qldhorsecouncil.com)

Information for vets

• Biosecurity guidelines, sampling, submission, transport and packaging of specimens

Information for event organisers

• Guidelines for the management of suspect Hendra cases at horse events
• Horse Events: Biosecurity guidelines for organisers and competitors
• Horse Venue Biosecurity Workbook [www.farmbiosecurity.com.au]

Information for horse owners

• Hendra virus - Safety alert for the horse industry
• Fact sheet from the Australian Veterinary Association ( 300 Kb)
• Queensland DPI information for industry and horse owners [www.dpi.qld.gov.au]

Response documents

• Policy, procedures and various forms relating to the Hendra virus response.