By JONATHON HOWARD
SOUTHERN Downs horse owners are being urged to take extreme precautions to avoid a potentially devastating outbreak of the deadly Hendra virus.
The warning comes after Biosecurity Queensland confirmed a new Hendra virus case in the Brisbane Valley after a horse tested positive on Monday night.
Queensland Chief Biosecurity Officer Dr Jim Thompson said one horse had died on the property after becoming unwell over the weekend.
“Biosecurity Queensland is in the process of quarantining the property.
“There are other horses on the property and we will be working to determine what contact the infected horse may have had with these other animals,” Dr Thompson said.
“Testing and monitoring will then be undertaken over the next month.
“While under quarantine, restrictions will apply to moving horses and horse materials on and off the infected property.”
Staff from West Moreton Hospital and Health Service’s Public Health Unit are assessing this situation to determine if any humans had contact with the infected horse.
They are also conducting contact tracing work to ensure all people potentially exposed to the sick horse have been identified.
Acting West Moreton Hospital and Health Service Public Health physician Dr Kari Jarvinen reassured the community that transmission of the virus required close contact with body fluids of the sick horse.
“There is no evidence the virus can be passed directly from flying foxes to humans, from the environment to humans, or can be transmitted by airborne droplets,” Dr Jarvinen said.
“Anyone who is concerned should contact 13 HEALTH (13 43 25 84).
“We stand ready to provide any assistance, counselling, information, testing or treatment that may be required.”
Dr Thompson said this was the third case of Hendra virus in Queensland this year.
“Even though the majority of cases tend to occur in the cooler months between July and September, we have consistently said that Hendra virus infection can occur throughout the year.
“It is therefore important for horse owners to take steps to protect themselves and their animals year round.
“Vaccination is the single most effective way of reducing the risk of Hendra virus infection in horses. It is recommended horse owners speak to their veterinarian about the option of vaccinating their horse against Hendra virus.”
A Hendra virus information for horse owners pack is available on the Biosecurity Queensland website.
For more information on Hendra virus, visit www.biosecurity,qld.gov.au or call 13 25 23. For information on the vaccine, visit www.health4horses.com.au
Follow Biosecurity Queensland on Facebook and Twitter (@BiosecurityQld).
BREAK OUT
Steps to reducing the risk of Hendra virus
– Talk to your veterinarian about the option of vaccinating your horse against Hendra virus.
– Horse feed and water containers should be removed from under trees. If possible, place feed and water containers under a shelter.
– Owners should inspect and identify flowering/fruiting trees on their property. Horses should be removed from paddocks where flowering/fruiting trees are attracting flying foxes. Horses should be returned only after the trees have stopped flowering/fruiting and the flying foxes have gone. If horses cannot be removed from the paddock, consider fencing (temporary or permanent) to restrict access to flowering/ fruiting trees. Clean up any fruit debris underneath the trees before returning horses.
– If it is not possible to remove horses from paddocks, try to temporarily remove your horses during times of peak flying fox activity (usually at dusk and during the night).
– Ensure that sick horses are isolated from other horses, people and animals until a veterinarian’s opinion is obtained.
– If there is more than one horse on your property, handle unaffected horses first and then only handle sick horses after taking appropriate precautions.
– Make sure gear exposed to any body fluids from horses is cleaned and disinfected before it is used on another horse. This includes halters, lead ropes and twitches. – Talk to your veterinarian about which cleaning agents and disinfectants to use.
– When cleaning contaminated equipment from a sick horse, wear gloves, cover any cuts or grazes and wash your hands thoroughly afterwards.
– It is essential that horse owners practice good biosecurity and not travel with, work on or take sick horses to other properties or equestrian events.
– Do not allow visiting horse practitioners (e.g. farriers) to work on sick horses.
– Seek veterinary advice before bringing any sick horse onto your property.
