Secondary Hendra horse results negative
Last week an outbreak of the contagious Hendra virus was confirmed in an Australian horse at J4S Equine Nursery in Central Queensland, the another suspected outbreak in New South Wales had been quarantined as a precautionary measure as well.
Blood samples from all the other horses onsite at J4S to test for the Hendra virus and two previous horse deaths in the nursery were also investigated. Blood tests had also been taken from horse at Manilla in New South Wales, which had been in contact with the studs at J4S Nursery and the site had been quarantined as a preventative infection measure and to help stop the spread of the virus.
However the horse at Manilla site has had test reports back on Wednesday 19 August a full 11 days since the declaration of the first outbreak and has been cleared of the Hendra virus with negative results. The quarantine has also been lifted from the site; the isolation of the J4S Nursery on the other hand will last up to 28 days since the last confirmed suspected outbreak.
The horse itself at Manilla did not show any signs of the virus but blood sample had been taken as an added defence reported the Animal Bio-security Risk Management manager Steve Dunn. These recent results are encouraging reports, which may indicate that efforts to contain the virus are working.
Dunn also urges horse breeders and owners to still remain vigilant in their hygiene standards as the Hendra virus is still highly contagious which has been know to spread to humans as well as amongst equine animals and horse owners should keep feed away form fruit bats who are the main carriers of the disease.
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August 21st 2009