Hendra virus: reducing risks
From the October 2008 edition of Agriculture Today.
Following two recent cases of the rare Hendra virus in Queensland, NSW horse owners have been urged to take simple precautions to reduce the risk of their horses becoming infected.
NSW chief veterinary officer, Bruce Christie, said Hendra virus was carried in flying fox populations and could be transferred to horses, then on to humans.
"Hendra is very rare - there have been only eleven confirmed incidents affecting thirty horses and six humans in Australia since it was discovered in 1994 - but it is a serious disease that is often fatal," he said.
"Current knowledge indicates that Hendra virus is spread to horses through the contamination of horse feed by flying fox body fluids like urine and birthing fluids.
"If this is indeed the case, protecting horse feed from contamination by fruit bats greatly reduces the chance of infection.
"I advise everybody with horses in areas where there are flying foxes to take precautions, such as not placing feed and water under trees where bats may feed or roost.
"The safest option is to place feed and water containers under cover."
Mr Christie said the potential human and animal health implications of Hendra meant whenever it was considered a possibility, precautionary measures would be required.
"Measures such as minimising contact with suspect horses and wearing personal protective equipment are important precautions to take until the diagnosis is confirmed," he said.
"Although Hendra is a rare disease that does not spread easily, it is very serious, so we all should do whatever it takes to minimise the risks."
