First Hendra case of 2013 reported

Map showing place of Mackay inward Queensland.

Queensland government conduct maintain reported the commencement Hendra illustration inward a Equus caballus for 2013.

A holding close Mackay has been quarantined after the Equus caballus returned a positive examine for the potentially deadly bat-borne virus.

Queensland’s main veterinary officer, Dr Rick Symons, said the Equus caballus had died on the holding after becoming unwell early on this week.

“There are other horses on the holding as well as nosotros volition survive working to decide what contact the infected Equus caballus had amongst other animals. Testing as well as monitoring volition as well as so survive undertaken over the side past times side month.

“While nether quarantine, restrictions volition apply to moving horses as well as Equus caballus materials on as well as off the infected property.”

Staff from the Department of Health’s Public Health Unit inward Townsville volition interview all people inward contact amongst the horse, to decide whether whatever testing or handling is required.

These staff volition undertake contact tracing function to ensure all people potentially exposed to the sick Equus caballus conduct maintain been identified.

Chief Health Officer Dr Jeannette Young reassured the community that transmission of the virus required unopen contact amongst torso fluids of the sick horse.

“There is no evidence the virus tin give the sack survive passed straight from flight foxes to humans, from the surroundings to humans, from humans to horses, or tin give the sack survive transmitted past times airborne droplets,” Young said.

Symons said: “Even though the bulk of cases tend to happen inward the cooler months betwixt July as well as September, nosotros conduct maintain consistently said that Hendra virus infection tin give the sack happen throughout the year.

“It is thus of import for Equus caballus owners to accept steps to protect themselves as well as their animals twelvemonth round.”

Symons urged Equus caballus owners to hash out the purpose of the novel Hendra Equus caballus vaccine amongst their veterinarian.

The illustration was reported less than a calendar week after confirmation that samples taken from dead fruit bats inward parklands close Adelaide, South Australia, tested positive to the virus.

Cases of Hendra inward horses as well as humans conduct maintain never been reported exterior Queensland as well as New South Wales. Of the 7 known cases of Hendra inward humans, all resulting from transmission from the bodily fluids of infected horses, iv conduct maintain proved fatal.

Reducing the opportunity of Hendra virus infection:

• A Hendra virus vaccine is available for horses. It is recommended Equus caballus owners hash out amongst their veterinary whether vaccinating their horses is appropriate.
• Horse feed as well as H2O containers should survive removed from nether trees. If possible, house feed as well as H2O containers nether a shelter.
• Owners should inspect as well as position flowering/fruiting trees on their property. Horses should survive removed from paddocks where flowering/fruiting trees are attracting flight foxes. Horses should survive returned entirely after the trees conduct maintain stopped flowering/fruiting as well as the flight foxes conduct maintain gone. If horses cannot survive removed from the paddock, regard fencing (temporary or permanent) to confine access to flowering/ fruiting trees. Clean upwards whatever fruit debris underneath the trees earlier returning horses.
• If it is non possible to take away horses from paddocks, endeavour to temporarily take away your horses during times of peak flight play tricks activeness (usually at dusk as well as during the night).
• Ensure that sick horses are isolated from other horses, people as well as animals until a veterinarian’s persuasion is obtained.
• If at that spot is to a greater extent than than 1 Equus caballus on your property, grip unaffected horses commencement as well as and so entirely grip sick horses after taking appropriate precautions.
• Make certain gear exposed to whatever torso fluids from horses is cleaned as well as disinfected earlier it is used on about other horse. This includes halters, Pb ropes as well as twitches. Talk to your veterinary nearly which cleaning agents as well as disinfectants to use.
• When cleaning contaminated equipment from a sick horse, article of apparel gloves, comprehend whatever cuts or grazes as well as launder your hands thoroughly afterwards.
• It is essential that Equus caballus owners exercise adept biosecurity as well as non go with, function on or accept sick horses to other properties or equestrian events.
• Do non allow visiting Equus caballus practitioners (e.g. farriers) to function on sick horses.
• Seek veterinary advice earlier bringing whatever sick Equus caballus onto your property.

 

 

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