Hendra virus

Hendra Virus Vaccine

A Hendra virus vaccine for horses produced by a commercial manufacturer was released on Thursday 1 November 2012.

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

Hendra virus research (The HHALTER project)

HHALTER (Horse Owners and Hendra virus: A Longitudinal survey To Evaluate Risk) is the only nationally funded Hendra virus project that is focussed solely on people, namely horse owners and those who are involved with horses.

It aims to ensure that ‘horse people’ are included at the centre of Hendra virus-related policy development and research. Responses from a good cross section of the horse community is vital to get the most out of this research. We encourage you to participate in the project surveys.

Current situation in NSW June 2012

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.

No further cases have occurred in NSW since 28 August 2011. Nevertheless, horse owners should remain vigilant and continue to take steps to minimise exposure of their horses. The presence of flowering and fruiting trees in or near the paddock in last year’s cases demonstrates the importance of keeping horses out of paddocks in this period, when trees are most attractive to bats.  Any fruit lying underneath trees should also be picked up and disposed of once the bats have moved on, 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.