REDLAND veterinarian David Lovell is urging horse owners to immunise their horse with the Hendra virus vaccination or risk being responsible for an outbreak.
Dr Lovell of the Redlands Veterinary Clinic, whose colleague Ben Cuneen died of Hendra virus in 2008, said he welcomed the new vaccination as a "tremendous" first step.
"It's unfortunately not going to make the disease go away and there is no cure for Hendra, but it is a good step forward."
He said the vaccination was "expensive" and estimated the first course of vaccinations to cost about $200 to $250.
"Everyone who owns a horse already knows it is expensive, but, if they don't get their horses vaccinated it is irresponsible and they could risk spreading the disease to themselves, their family or anyone else who comes into contact with that horse," he said.
Dr Lovell said the vaccination would cost about $100 each, but horses would need to have two vaccinations 21 days apart and then one annually.
"It's just something horse owners need to do to prevent the spread of the disease, but all horses vaccinated must also be micro-chipped costing about $55," he said.
"Horses without a microchip cannot be vaccinated as all vaccinations given must be registered with the data base.
The Queensland Government has committed $300,000 to the Australian Animal Health Laboratory to support the development of the horse vaccine.
Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry John McVeigh said only veterinarians who had completed an online training module managed by Pfizer Animal Healh could administer the vaccine.
For more information on Hendra virus, visit www.biosecurity.qld.gov.au or contact 132 523. For more information on the vaccine visit www.health4 horses.com.au.
