Hendra Virus Vaccine Update

Hendra Virus Vaccine Update

The Hendra virus is a deadly disease found exclusively in Australia that is transmitted from flying fox to horse, horse to horse, and horse to people. The Hendra virus was first discovered in the Brisbane suburb of Hendra in 1994.

The virus occurs naturally in flying fox populations across most Australian states and territories, with the potential for the disease to appear wherever there are flying fox colonies.

Equivac HeV, released by Zoetis Australia (formerly Pfizer Animal Health) in November 2012, is an effective vaccine against Hendra virus that will help prevent infection of horses, breaking the cycle of infection to people.

It is recommended that all horses be vaccinated against Hendra virus, especially in the known higher risk areas. New data from the CSIRO shows that horses exposed to a lethal dose of Hendra virus six months following vaccination did not develop Hendra virus disease. Studies are continuing to confirm that protection will likely persist for even longer.

This will not only protect the horses, but also vets and other people in contact with horses, as the signs of infection in a horse can be very varied and are similar to a wide range of other conditions.

The consequences of becoming infected can be deadly - 75% of horses and 57% of humans infected with the virus die as a result of the disease. Since 1994, the Hendra virus has claimed the lives of 81 horses and 4 people that were in close contact with an infected horse.

However, it is important to remember no vaccine is 100% effective and people in contact with horses need to continue to practice good biosecurity and personal hygiene measures even if horses are vaccinated.

Signs of Hendra Virus:

• sudden onset of illness

• increased body temperature

• depression

• loss of appetite

• shifting of weight between legs

• increased respiratory rate

• nasal discharge (clear, white or blood stained)

• head tilting/circling

• muscle twitching

• urinary incontinence

Steps to reduce the risk of Hendra virus infection on your property:

• Horse feed and water containers should be removed from under trees. If possible, place feed and water containers under a shelter.

• Owners should inspect and identify flowering/fruiting trees on their property. Horses should be removed from paddocks where flowering/fruiting trees are attracting flying foxes. Horses should be returned only after the trees have stopped flowering/fruiting and the flying foxes have gone. If horses cannot be removed from the paddock, consider fencing (temporary or permanent) to restrict access to flowering/ fruiting trees. Clean up any fruit debris underneath the trees before returning horses.

• If it is not possible to remove horses from paddocks, try to temporarily remove your horses during times of peak flying fox activity (usually at dusk and during the night).

• Make sure gear exposed to any body fluids from horses is cleaned and disinfected before it is used on another horse. This includes halters, lead ropes and twitches. Talk to your veterinarian about which cleaning agents and disinfectants to use.

• It is essential that horse owners practise good biosecurity and not travel with, work on or take sick horses to other properties or equestrian events.

• Do not allow visiting horse practitioners (e.g. farriers) to work on sick horses.

• Seek veterinary advice before bringing any sick horse onto your property.

The Equivac HeV vaccine can only be administered by accredited veterinarians to make sure it's handled, administered and recorded correctly. Please contact your veterinarian for further information.

- Last updated 19 April 2013