Following the latest equine hendra case in Gladstone, Queensland, Australia, the Australian Veterinary Association (AVA) says that all owners should have their horses vaccinated to prevent the deadly virus.

“It’s not enough to cross your fingers when it comes to the hendra virus," said Equine Veterinarians Australia President Nathan Anthony, BVSc (Hons) MANZCVSc. "Hendra kills horses and it kills people. Every death from hendra virus is now preventable.

“Hendra virus infection in horses can happen anywhere, at any time," he continued. "If horse owners want guaranteed veterinary care when their horses get sick then they must get them vaccinated. This is particularly the case in Queensland and northern New South Wales where hendra cases have been recorded."

The deadly hendra virus has been known to yield numerous clinical signs in horses including respiratory distress, frothy nasal discharge, elevated body temperature (above 40°C, or 104°F), and elevated heart rate; however, authorities caution that hendra infection does not have specific signs. The virus is transmitted to horses from the flying fox, a type of Australian fruit bat

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