A second Australian horse has tested positive for hendra virus and was euthanized, according to a bulletin from Ian Roth, New South Wales’ chief veterinary officer. This case is not related to the Queensland horse that succumbed to the virus earlier in the week, Roth said.

"On Friday, July 1, 2011, samples from a horse were tested at the State Virology Laboratory at Elizabeth Macarthur Agricultural Institute, Camden, and found to be positive for hendra virus by PCR (polymerase chain reaction) testing of blood samples," Roth said in the bulletin. The newly confirmed case was located near Wollongbar on New South Wales’ northern coast.

"The horse was reported as being off-color and feverish on June 28," the bulletin continued. "On Tuesday evening the horse was examined by a private veterinary practitioner who noted it had a high fever (40.8⁰C, or 105.4⁰F), significantly elevated heart and respiration rates, brick red mucous membranes, and was only passing scant feces. The horse also had neurological signs including slight ataxia, a wide frontal stance, and a lip droop.

"The horse was treated for endotoxemia and initially appeared to be responding to treatment. The horse was revisited by the private practitioner several times on June 29 and was euthanized very early in the morning of June 30 after developing severe neurological signs including apparent blindness