A PONY that was euthanised at a property in the Gold Coast hinterland on May 25 is the first recorded case of the deadly Hendra virus in Queensland for two years.
The incident is understood to have taken place at Tamborine Mountain.
Biosecurity Queensland has not released the location of the property, but Tamborine Mountain, Canungra and Yarrabilba Veterinary Services posted on their Facebook page on May 26.
”Please be advised that our practice attended a positive Hendra case on Tamborine Mountain in a non-vaccinated horse on Wednesday night… we will advise by SMS or email as more information comes to hand,” the post said.
According to a statement issued by the Australian Veterinary Association (AVA), the case was diagnosed by a private veterinarian wearing personal protective equipment.
The AVA confirmed the infected pony was not vaccinated against Hendra virus. A second unvaccinated horse on the property is being monitored.
Biosecurity Queensland is now managing the case and has quarantined the property.
Unusual case
Extra vigilance was urged earlier this year among horse owners in Logan City and the Scenic Rim following a recent “unusual” Hendra virus case.
The case near Casino in northern New South Wales was of concern because the horse’s symptoms differed those usually anticipated.
The animal initially tested negative for the Hendra virus after losing weight for two weeks and presenting with a sore mouth.
It reacted well to medication and started recuperating, until it deteriorated rapidly a week later and died.
Testing takes time
AVA spokesperson Dr Ben Poole said it’s critical that horses located in high-risk Hendra areas are vaccinated against Hendra virus.
“It is even more important that horses from these areas are vaccinated when they compete in events where there are horses and people coming together in large numbers.
“It provides a horse health and welfare benefit, and a public health benefit.”
Dr Poole underlined the difficulties of making a correct diagnosis of the Hendra virus.
“It’s impossible for an owner of a sick horse, or their veterinarian, to determine by examining it whether it has contracted Hendra virus infection.”
Dr Poole said testing for the disease takes time and delays possible live-saving therapies.
“That is why vaccination is so important, because a vaccinated horse has an extremely low risk of having Hendra virus infection.
“Another horse has died from a preventable disease, and people potentially unnecessarily exposed to the virus.
“Vaccination is the only way to ensure high standards of horse health and welfare while also protecting veterinarians, horse handlers and owners from contracting this deadly virus,” he said.
“Horse Health Declarations (HHDs) cannot be relied upon to provide protection from this insidious disease.”
Hendra symptoms
Typically, signs displayed by an animal infected by the Hendra virus include laboured breathing, frothy and or bloodstained nasal discharge, neurological changes – loss of vision, tilting of the head, abnormal muscle twitching, weakness and a loss of balance – colic symptoms, loss of appetite, depression and an increased respiratory rate.
According to information provided on the Queensland government website, more than 60 horses across the state have been infected with the Hendra virus since it was first identified in 1994.
Seven people have also been confirmed to have contracted the deadly disease. Four of those people died as a result of contracting the virus. The most recent human death occurred in 2009.
- with Louise Starkey
For more information on vaccinations to prevent your horse from contracting the Hendra virus, contact your nearest equine veterinary clinic.
