Following the confirmation of four horses infected with hendra virus in Queensland, Australia, in the past two weeks, the Australian Veterinary Association (AVA) is reminding horse owners to take safety precautions around any sick horse.

With the unprecedented number of hendra cases in Queensland and New South Wales last year, the AVA expects more cases in the next few months.

AVA spokesman Barry Smyth, BVSc, FACVSc, Dipl. ACVS, said that the new cases were a reminder to horse owners to take all necessary precautions that reduce the risk of spreading the disease.

"It’s a timely reminder for horse owners to prevent contact between horses and flying foxes (the fruit bad known to play a role in disease transmission) as far as possible and to adopt good hygiene practices when handling any sick horse. It’s also important to contact a veterinarian as soon as possible when your horse is sick," he added