Hendra kills Qld horse

23 Jan 2013, 4:27 pm   -   Source: AAP

A north Queensland property has been quarantined after tests confirmed a dead horse is infected with the Hendra virus.

A horse has died from the bat-borne Hendra virus near Mackay, in Queensland's first outbreak for the year.

Biosecurity Queensland is quarantining a property near Mackay after a dead horse tested positive to Hendra on Tuesday night.

Queensland Chief Veterinary Officer Dr Rick Symons says there are other horses on the property that will undergo blood tests for the virus.

Dr Symons says the owner of the horse discovered it was unsteady on its feet on Sunday, a classic sign of the Hendra virus.

The 18-year-old stock horse died that night and tests confirmed on Tuesday night it had the Hendra virus, he said.

Three other horses and several dogs on the property are under quarantine.

Dr Symons says typically Hendra outbreaks occur between June and August but he's not surprised to see such an early case.

"We had a case around this time last year in Townsville," he said.

"It does occur in the dry seasons but it predominantly occurs in the cooler months which may have something to do with the virus surviving better in cooler weather."

He recommended horse owners to have their horses inoculated with the new Hendra vaccine.

Public health officers from Townsville are contacting all people who were exposed to the sick horse and will identify if any tests or treatment is required.

Chief Health Officer Dr Jeannette Young says the virus is not transmitted easily as it requires close contact with body fluids of the sick horse.

"We stand ready to provide any assistance, counselling, information, testing or treatment that may be required," Dr Young says.

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