Queensland, Australia, authorities are managing two new hendra virus cases–one near Rockhampton and the other near Ingham–after positive test results were received late last night (May 29).

Reducing Equine Hendra Risk 

  • Remove feed and water buckets from from under trees.
     
  • Inspect and identify flowering/fruiting trees on their property and remove horses from paddocks where trees could attract flying foxes. Horses should be returned only after the trees have stopped flowering/fruiting and the flying foxes have left.
     
  • If horses cannot be removed from the paddock, use fencing to restrict access to flowering/ fruiting trees.
     
  • Clean up any fruit debris underneath the trees before returning horses to the paddock.
     
  • Ensure that sick horses are isolated from other horses, people, and animals until a veterinarian has examined the animal.
     
  • Try to avoid close contact with a sick horse and personal protective equipment such as safety glasses, masks, and gloves should be worn if handling a suspected sick horse.

Queensland Chief Veterinary Officer Rick Symons, BVSc, MBA, PhD, said a horse died on Saturday on the property near Rockhampton with test results confirming the horse had hendra virus. There are other horses on the property, he said, and the remaining animals were assessed today (May 30).

Symons said a horse had also died on a property in Ingham on Monday with results confirming it had hendra virus infection. Five horses remain on this property and were assessed today, he said

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