Eight People Waiting to be Cleared of Hendra Virus

Following blood tests, eight people now have to wait two weeks for confirmation that they are clear of Hendra Virus, including the vet who treated the horse that died from the deadly, bat-borne disease - unfortunately he was not wearing a face mask or protective clothing during treatment of the horse. 

Queensland chief veterinarian Rick Symons praised the Beaudesert vet for his vigilance in testing the "shaky and off-colour" horse, but confirmed he had not been wearing full protective gear.

He had donned gloves, but not a face mask nor the overalls recommended for vets confronted by the flu-like symptoms in horses associated with Hendra virus.

The latest outbreak of the deadly hendra virus in Queensland has sparked calls for a vaccine to be mandatory for all horses.  A vaccine to fight the disease is on track to be market ready by 2013.

Let's hope that all the people involved are okay, that no more horses get Hendra this season and that they can fast track this vaccine and make it available to all horse owners in at-risk areas very soon!

Quick Link

• Read story and watch news report at www.theaustralian.com.au plus watch video
• Read story at www.abc.net.au