First Hendra Case In Scone

YESTERDAY the New South Wales Department of Primary Industries confirmed a 25 year old unvaccinated mare on a property near Scone had been infected with the Hendra virus.

The horse showed neurological signs on Friday and was euthanised.

The owners alerted the emergency animal disease unit and the district veterinarian from Hunter Local Land Services took samples from the horse and property, which later tested positive for Hendra.

No other horses on the property have shown signs of ill health and the LLS are on site managing infection control, monitoring animals and tracing horse movements for the previous 16 days.

The incubation period for the disease is between five and 16 days in horses and up to 21 days in humans.

The farm will remain under a movement order for 21 days.

The LLS has advised the risk of the virus travelling to other farms is very low, with proper infection control practices in place.

The first case of Hendra identified in New South Wales was in 2006, since then only 22 horses on 20 properties have died form the virus.

There have been no human deaths in New South Wales, with infection only associated with exposure to high levels of bodily fluids from an infected horse.

Hendra infections tend to occur predominantly between May and August and horse owners are encouraged to practice good husbandry to reduce the risk of infection: Hendra.

Related Stories:

• Hendra Case Sees Spike in Class Action Applicants – June 19, 2019
• Hendra: Authorities Say Business as Usual in Scone – June 14, 2019.
• Hendra: Ongoing Investigations – June 14, 2019.