New Hendra Virus Case in Far North Queensland

Biosecurity Queensland is managing a new Hendra virus case on a property between Cairns and Port Douglas after a positive test result was received late last night. 

Queensland Chief Biosecurity Officer Dr Jim Thompson said the property owner contacted a veterinarian on Monday after the horse became ill. The horse died before the vet arrived at the property.

“Biosecurity officers are currently assessing the situation but from preliminary information we understand there are 13 other horses on the property,” Dr Thompson said.

“Tracing is a priority to determine what contact the infected horse may have had with other animals.

“Biosecurity Queensland officers have quarantined the property.

“Restrictions will apply to moving horses and horse materials on and off the infected property, and the property will be quarantined for at least one month.”

Queensland Health's Public Health experts are assessing the situation today to determine if any humans had contact with the infected horse.

Queensland's Chief Health Officer Dr Jeannette Young reassured the community that transmission of the virus required close contact with bodily fluids of an infected horse.

"Queensland Health staff will continue to undertake contact tracing work to ensure all people potentially exposed to the infected horse have been identified," Dr Young said.

"Queensland Health stands ready to provide any assistance, counselling, information, testing or treatment that may be required.

"Anyone who is concerned should contact 13 HEALTH (13 43 25 84)."

Dr Thompson said this latest case was the seventh Hendra virus incident in Queensland this year.

“This year we have had cases in Townsville, Cairns, Ingham and Mackay and two cases in Rockhampton – all of these cases have been finalised and quarantines lifted,” he said.

Dr Thompson said horse owners needed to remain vigilant in taking steps to reduce the risk of infection as Hendra virus can occur year round but is more common during the cooler months.

“If a horse becomes sick, owners should contact their veterinarian immediately as happened in this case.

“Horse owners and vets are encouraged to download the latest information on Hendra virus from our website www.biosecurity.qld.gov.au or by calling 13 25 23.”

Follow Biosecurity Queensland on Facebook and Twitter (@BiosecurityQld).

Reducing the risk of Hendra virus infection on your property:

• Horse feed and water containers should be removed from under trees. If possible, place feed and water containers under a shelter.
• Owners should inspect and identify flowering/fruiting trees on their property. Horses should be removed from paddocks where flowering/fruiting trees are attracting flying foxes. Horses should be returned only after the trees have stopped flowering/fruiting and the flying foxes have gone. If horses cannot be removed from the paddock, consider fencing (temporary or permanent) to restrict access to flowering/ fruiting trees. Clean up any fruit debris underneath the trees before returning horses.
• If it is not possible to remove horses from paddocks, try to temporarily remove your horses during times of peak flying fox activity (usually at dusk and during the night).
• Make sure gear exposed to any body fluids from horses is cleaned and disinfected before it is used on another horse. This includes halters, lead ropes and twitches. Talk to your veterinarian about which cleaning agents and disinfectants to use.
• It is essential that horse owners practise good biosecurity and not travel with, work on or take sick horses to other properties or equestrian events.
• Do not allow visiting horse practitioners (e.g. farriers) to work on sick horses.
• Seek veterinary advice before bringing any sick horse onto your property.