New Hendra Case Confirmed North of Ballina

 

A tenth horse has died in NSW from Hendra virus at a property north of Ballina, on the North Coast.

“The property has been quarantined and the dead horse has been buried on the property,” NSW Chief Veterinary Officer Dr Ian Roth said.

“The horse was noticeably ill on Saturday and was showing neurological changes, including weakness and loss of balance.

“The horse deteriorated rapidly during the day and was found dead on Sunday morning. 

“A private veterinarian took blood and swabs from the sick horse and sent the sample to NSW DPI’s Elizabeth Macarthur Agricultural Institute for laboratory analysis – results confirmed the Hendra virus last night.

“While there are no other horses on the property, a dog on the property will be assessed by the Livestock Health and Pest Authority (LHPA) in line with NSW’s companion animal policy.

“The infected horse was grazing in a small paddock containing flowering and fruiting trees, where flying foxes were active.”

Dr Roth said Hendra virus can spread from flying foxes to horses and, rarely, from horses to people.

“It’s critical that people keep horses away from fruiting and flowering trees that might attract fruit bats,” Dr Roth said.

“Authorities are now managing five quarantined properties and conducting extensive property checks right across NSW.”

Hendra in NSW snapshot (since 30/6/2011):

• 8 properties have been confirmed positive for the Hendra virus - Wollongbar, Macksville, Lismore, Ballina, South Ballina, two properties at Mullumbimby and North Ballina.
• 10 horse deaths.
• 171 properties have been confirmed as negative for the Hendra virus.
• 5 properties are currently quarantined. Following extensive testing and decontamination, quarantine measures have been lifted at the Wollongbar, Macksville and Lismore properties.