On Dec. 23 the New South Wales (NSW), Australia, Department of Primary Industries (DPI) quarantined a property near Casino, in northern NSW, following the death of one horse from Hendra virus.

Christine Middlemiss, BVMS, MRCVS, DPI chief veterinary officer, said the property has been placed in quarantine by the Local Land Services (LLS) district veterinarian and the dead horse is being buried.

“The 22-year-old horse died recently following a period of illness and receiving treatment from a private veterinarian,” she said.

Samples from the horse were sent for laboratory analysis at DPI’s Elizabeth Macarthur Agricultural Institute (EMAI) and results from testing at EMAI and the Australian Animal Health Laboratory at Geelong confirmed the Hendra virus