Biosecurity Qld Confirms Second Hendra Case in South East Qld

Further to our report yesterday, Biosecurity Queensland is managing a second confirmed case of Hendra virus at Mt Alford in the Boonah area. Queensland Chief Veterinary Officer, Dr Rick Symons said one horse at a local property had been sick on 20 June and was euthanased.

“A second horse became sick on 1 July and samples from this horse were sent to Biosecurity Queensland for testing,” Dr Symons said. “Test results overnight have confirmed this as a case of Hendra virus infection. “The sick horse was euthanased. There are eight other horses on the property that we are monitoring closely.

“Tracing is underway to determine if the deceased horses came into contact with any other horses at adjoining or nearby properties. “Queensland Health, key horse industry groups and the Australian Veterinary Association have been notified of this latest case.

“Biosecurity Queensland staff will attend the Mt Alford area to provide information to neighbours of the property concerned.” This property is being quarantined to restrict the movement of horses on and off. The remaining eight horses will be monitored and tested. Once officers from Biosecurity Queensland and Queensland Health have been able to speak with those people that treated the horse, a determination of whether anyone may have been exposed can be made. Queensland Health stands ready to provide any assistance, counselling, information, testing or treatment that may be required. This is the second confirmed case of Hendra infection in south east Queensland in the past week. Biosecurity Queensland continues to monitor horses involved in the Beaudesert incident. There are no links between the horses or the properties in the two incidents. Dr Symons said a third property had been quarantined as part as the Beaudesert incident. This is a precautionary measure after tracing of horses on the original infected property at Kerry showed a possible contact with a horse at the third property. “We have also received the first test results on the 20 horses at the second Beaudesert property at Biddaddaba,” he said. “They were negative. This is the first of three rounds of testing required to clear the property.”

The Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation (DEEDI) Mobile Office has been operating at William Street, Beaudesert and has received a lot of interest.

Biosecurity staff attended the Beaudesert race day on Saturday and a number of local horse events across the weekend at Canungra, Beaudesert, Tamborine Village, Boonah and Logan Village.

Next Tuesday 5 July, a Hendra Virus Seminar will be presented at the Beaudesert RSL at 6.30pm. Dr Symons repeated his advice that vets, horse owners and the community should be vigilant and report any suspected cases of Hendra virus to Biosecurity Queensland and most importantly, to take appropriate precautions when handling any sick horse.

“Fruit trees are flowering at the moment and there is a lot of flying fox activity. Horse owners are reminded that they should not place feed or water under trees where flying foxes gather,” he said.

For more information contact Biosecurity Queensland on 13 25 23 or visitwww.biosecurity.qld.gov.au

Notify suspected Hendra virus cases by contacting: Biosecurity Queensland on 13 25 23 (during business hours) or the Emergency Disease Watch Hotline on 1800 675 888. Contact the Queensland Health Hotline on 13 HEALTH (432584) if you have any concerns about possible exposure of people to Hendra virus.