The Australian Veterinary Association says vaccination is the most effective way to help prevent the deadly Hendra virus in horses. | Photo: iStock

After a New South Wales mare recently died due to Hendra virus infection, the Australian Veterinary Association (AVA) is reminding horse owners in that country that vaccination can help prevent this deadly virus in their horses.

Cristy Secombe, BSc, BVMS, MVsc (hons), MANZCVS, Dipl. ACVIM, president of the AVA’s Equine Veterinarians Australia, said this latest death is extremely alarming because it is furthest south that a Hendra case has been recorded in Australia, near Scone—Australia’s horse capital—in the upper Hunter Valley of New South Wales.

“Hendra virus is a deadly virus,” she said. “For the benefit of horses and their owners, it is essential that horses located in, around or travelling to high-risk Hendra areas along the east coast, are vaccinated against Hendra virus