Beware of Hendra Virus - Take Precautions Now!

Hendra virus season is approaching and it's time to take precautions!

The season for Hendra virus is generally from June to October, however, in 2010 a horse on Queensland's Sunshine Coast contracted the disease in May.  It is not only Queenslanders who have to be diligent about Hendra virus, authorities advise there is potential for  the disease anywhere flying fox colonies are present.

Hendra virus is a disease of horses and humans that can cause a serious and life threatening illness. The natural hosts of Hendra virus are bats (flying foxes) which can then pass the virus onto horses. Human infection results from close contact with the blood, body fluids and tissues of infected horses. There is no evidence of human-to-human or bat-to-human spread of Hendra virus.

Many horses have presented with very different symptoms, from very mild/vague to severe and there doesn't seem to be a definitive guideline provided by Bio Security Queensland at this stage, despite many requests.  This is especially worrying for horse owners, who will be the people to first notice evidence of illness in their horses.

CLICK HERE to visit the comprehensive Hendra Awareness website that provides more information on symptoms, (including videos of affected horses behaviour), as well as many other details regarding this deadly disease. 

Meanwhile, it's important that people in areas where there are flying foxes (not only Queensland) take the following measures, as recommended by Queensland Government:

• Take steps to protect horses from becoming infected with Hendra virus by:
  • placing feed bins and water troughs under cover
  • avoiding planting trees that attract flying foxes in or near horse paddocks
  • removing horses from paddocks if flying foxes are feeding on trees or roosting in that paddock.
• Ensure safe systems of work as a routine work practice for all contact with horses, their blood and body fluids and associated equipment. This includes:
  • regular hand hygiene
  • maintaining standards of cleanliness and stable hygiene
  • cleaning and disinfecting equipment that has been in contact with horses body fluids.
• If you have a sick horse, isolate the horse from other horses, people and animals (e.g. remove companion animals to another area) until you have obtained a veterinary opinion.
• Avoid close contact with a sick horse where possible. If this is unavoidable, consider the horse's blood and body fluids as potentially infectious and take precautions to prevent contact with these including:
  • using personal protective equipment (PPE) to protect your clothing, exposed skin and face from contact with the horse's blood and body fluids
  • training workers and yourself in how to use unfamiliar PPE, such as disposable P2 respirators
  • covering cuts and abrasions with a water-resistant dressing
  • following instructions for biosecurity and personal safety provided by a Biosecurity Queensland officer or veterinarian.
• If you have handled a sick horse, and before contact with other horses:
  • wash off any contamination with plenty of soap and water
  • shower with soap and wash your hair
  • change your clothes.
• Arrange your activities so that you have contact with the sick horse last.
• Always consider Hendra virus as a possible cause of illness in horses. Notify suspected Hendra virus cases by contacting Biosecurity Queensland on 13 25 23 or the Emergency Animal Disease Watch Hotline on 1800 675 888. There is a legal obligation to notify.
• Contact your GP, local Emergency Department or local Public Health Unit if you have concerns about possible exposure of people to a horse with Hendra virus infection.

CLICK HERE to read the full document and on the Qld Government Website.