Early in 2011, an increase in the number of horses suffering from neurological disease was detected in NSW and Victoria.

Blood samples from over 200 cases were submitted to the NSW State Veterinary laboratory, Elizabeth Macarthur Agricultural Institute.

The brains of some of the few horses that died from the disease were also examined.

Kunjin virus has always been present in northern Australia, but has not been known to cause disease.

It appears that Kunjin virus has recently mutated to a form that now does cause disease.

Topics covered by this Factsheet include:

• What is Kunjin virus
• Signs of Kunjin virus in horses
• Treatment
• Precautions with any neurological disease
• Prevention
• Future research