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Hendra Virus Causes New South Wales Horse DeathBy Kentucky Equine Research Staff · July 1, 2011
A horse near Wollongbar in New South Wales, Australia, has been confirmed to have died from Hendra virus, according to a report on abc.net.au. They quoted NSW chief veterinary office Ian Roth as saying the only other horse on the New South Wales property has been quarantined, and there is nothing to suggest the horse death in that state is related to the recent outbreak of Hendra at Beaudesert in Queensland.
The report stated that the veterinarian who attended the horse in New South Wales and eight other people were being monitored for exposure.
Hendra virus affects horses and humans, although the natural hosts are large fruit bats known as flying foxes. All known cases of Hendra infection in humans have been spread by contact with infected horses, so preventing the disease in equines would presumably lower the risk of human illness.
More information on the Hendra virus is available on the Queensland government website.
