Biosecurity Queensland has quarantined a property on the Southern Downs—located in southeastern Queensland, Australia, near the border of New South Wales—after a horse tested positive to Australian bat lyssavirus (ABLV). This is the first known case of ABLV identified in a horse.

Chief Biosecurity officer Jim Thompson, BVSc, MACVSc, said the horse was euthanized on May 11 after falling ill.

“It tested negative for hendra virus infection but further testing returned a positive result for ABLV,” he said. “Another horse showing similar symptoms was euthanized at the same property five days earlier.

“There are 20 other horses on the property,” Thompson continued. “The vet involved in both cases used PPE (personal protective equipment) and took appropriate precautions. The site will remain under quarantine while further testing is conducted on the remaining horses