Do you want a Hendra Vaccine? - scroll down for updates and details on how to donate.
This year Caboolture Dressage Group's annual fundraiser will be going to the Qld Horse Council's Hendra virus Vaccine Fund. Please support this fantastic and fun event.
NOMINATIONS CLOSE July 23 by 5pm. More details
Or on Caboolture Dressage Group's website on http://caboolturedressage.org.au/
Negative results for Hendra virus (HeV) were received this morning for the final round of tests on the companion horse on the affected Sunshine Coast property. The results included negative test results for the Indirect ELISA for the detection of antibodies to Hendra virus, as well as negative PCR results on a range of swabs from the horse. The samples were tested by the Australian Animal Health Laboratory (AAHL) at Geelong
A revised AUSVETPLAN Disease Strategy for equine influenza (EI) has been developed based on the various reviews of the policy and operational aspects of the response to the 2007 EI outbreak in Australia. These include the Report of the National Review of Australia’s Response to the 2007 outbreak of equine influenza (http://www.equineinfluenzainquiry.gov.au ) and discussions by Animal Health Committee on 'lessons learnt'. The revision of the disease strategy was carried out by an expert writing group and managed by Animal Health Australia. Read more Read revised Ausvetplan
There’s still a long way to go – CSIRO AAHL have expanded their immunity level testing on the vaccine - the more complete the testing the quicker a vaccine will be available to horse owners. They have been talking to the vaccine companies - who became much more interested after the announcement of government support! – and they think they may have an agreement settled with one of them at least in the next very few weeks. The new target is $75,000. Then the final steps will need funding - the vaccine has to undergo safety checks and registration before a commercial partner for production and rollout is done. Let’s not have another hold up – donate now. If we all give a little we will have a vaccine in the shortest possible time.
Queensland horse owners do not miss out on the latest Hendra virus information that is available. Dr Fiona Thompson together with Debbie Dekker (QHC President) present at the QHC Hendra Virus Seminars practical information for vets and horse owners alike on how to reduce your risks. It is well worth your time and effort to attend (or arrange) a QHC Hendra Virus Seminar in your area if you can. Please contact Debbie at president@qldhorsecouncil.com if you are interested in arranging a seminar. We’d love to hear from you!
The decision of the State and Federal governments to provide a combined $600,000 to progress the development of a horse vaccine for Hendra virus has been welcomed as a wonderful result by horse people, equine professionals and the wider community. Since the catastrophic outbreak of the deadly Hendra Virus (HeV) occurred at Vic Rail’s racing stables in Brisbane in 1994 there have been 14 known outbreaks involving horses in Queensland and New South Wales, with the most recent being on the Sunshine Coast last week. Read more
Negative results for HeV were received this afternoon on blood samples submitted from the companion horse on the affected property on the Sunshine Coast. A Biosecurity Queensland veterinarian sampled the horse yesterday afternoon and collected blood samples and a range of swabs. Read More
The Horse Industry and an Emergency Animal Disease Response Agreement (EADRA)
Background to levy options discussion paper. The recent Primary Industries Ministerial Council (PIMC) meeting had three important messages for the Horse Industry. Read more
The Australian Veterinary Association is warning horse owners around the country that conditions are right for the hendra virus to reappear. The bodily fluids of flying foxes are known to spread the disease. The AVA has urged horse owners not to leave uncovered feed and water troughs near where the bats roost. Read more
Message from Dr Mike Bond Chief Executive Officer Animal Health Australia - Protection against another horse disease emergency
Primary Industries Ministers from the Commonwealth and all of Australia’s states and territories have now clearly indicated that they won’t support a nationally cost shared response to any exotic horse disease incursion until there is a cost sharing agreement in place. Ministers have set 1 December 2010 as the deadline for the horse industry to reach agreement on a mechanism to allow it to meet its share of response costs.
The Australian Horse Industry Council (AHIC) welcomes the outcome of the Primary Industries Ministers Council (PIMC) meeting of 23rd April. PIMC gave the different sectors of the Horse Industry the opportunity to work together and with Government and the Opposition to find acceptable levy mechanisms in order that the Emergency Animal Disease Agreement (EADRA) can be signed and the Levy Bills re-introduced to Parliament. Read more
Response from Tony Burke to AHIC re EI vaccination - read the letter read more
DO YOU WANT TO BE INFORMED? DO YOU WANT YOUR HORSES SAFE?
HOSS - Horse Owners Signal System is a database for contact in case of disease outbreak, fire, flood, or other emergency in Qld. We need your email, postcode and council where YOUR HORSE LIVES. Join up NOW! Click on the HOSS image below for registration. If you have more than one email contact or horses at different properties, please register each one individually.
Are you prepared for Hendra virus? How do your everyday practices shape up?
Workplace Health and Safety Qld has produced a survey so you can audit your own precautions and risk management. Find out more on WHSQ
Download a copy of the surveys.
MANAGING OCCUPATIONAL HENDRA VIRUS RISKS FOR HORSE PROPERTIES AND OTHER HORSE RELATED BUSINESSES –SELF SURVEY
MANAGING OCCUPATIONAL HENDRA VIRUS RISKS IN VETERINARY PRACTICE – SELF SURVEY
Biosecurity Queensland confirms Hendra Virus case
Biosecurity Queensland has received laboratory results today (Thursday May 20) confirming a positive Hendra Virus result for a horse on a property in Tewantin. Primary Industries Minister Tim Mulherin said officers from Biosecurity Queensland and Queensland Health are currently on the property talking to the owners and any other people who may have had contact with the affected horse.Read More
The Shadow Minister for Agriculture, John Cobb has called on the Rudd Government to immediately provide $600,000 to ensure a trial into a vaccine for horses to protect them from the deadly Hendra virus can proceed as planned in the second half of this year. Read more
Riding helmet with removable peak and web harness. This problem affects only the basic Dublin Onyx Helmet in Black & White (item codes: 441218 – 441241)
On June 14 2006, Clive, a thoroughbred gelding, died an agonizing death. It was a death that would mark the beginning of an emotional nightmare for his owner, Jennifer Crane and her family. Jennifer’s account of the death of her horse due to the Hendra virus portrays the pain of losing a beloved member of the family, her encounter with Queensland’s biosecurity procedures and a decision to try to increase the awareness of the fatal consequences when the balance of nature is tipped. This book is not only very well written, but it is an honest and well balanced account of her experiences. I started reading it and I couldn’t put it down. The QHC has it for sale, for details please contact treasurer@qldhorsecouncil.com.
Horses Research Reports from Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation RIRDC
Some Examples:-
and many more