Chief veterinary officers from across Australia met yesterday to discuss the Australian bat lyssavirus (ABLV) case on the Southern Downs in Queensland.  Queensland’s Chief Biosecurity Officer Jim Thompson said Biosecurity Queensland officers revisited the property yesterday and reported that no animals were showing any signs of illness.  “A number of options for managing the property were considered yesterday by the chief veterinarians,” Dr Thompson said.  “Biosecurity Queensland will be discussing these options with the property owner, including isolation and potential vaccination of animals and will continue to work closely with them in managing the situation.  “Through our understanding of this virus, it is believed that the infected horse was most likely infected through being scratched or bitten by a bat.  “Testing has confirmed the virus in the infected horse was the type of ABLV found in one species of insect-eating microbats, not flying foxes. 

Approximately 15,000 horses have been vaccinated against the deadly Hendra virus, according to the company that produces the drug, Zoetis.  Company spokesperson Dr Stephanie Armstrong says the uptake has been steady.  "Given that the vaccine has only been available since November, it gives a good indication that people are looking for a solution to the threat that Hendra virus plays," she said.  The CSIRO released data on the vaccine a few months ago confirming it protection lasts at least six months and the successful anecdotal usage on brood mares.  Dr Armstrong says there has been another update in relation to the flexibility of dosing.  Read ABC article

The Qld Horse Council stresses the need to be aware that Hendra virus can occur wherever there are flying foxes and horses, and because of the large area that flying foxes travel over, can occur across a large proportion of the state and at any time of the year. For information about how you can reduce the risks to yourself and your horse please read our fact sheets:-
Bats & Trees
Hendra – Property Design
Hendra Virus – Reducing the Risk
Hendra Virus