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Hendra Virus Advice for Horse Owners & Carers |
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Written by Fiona Thompson - Qld Horse Council
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Thursday, 28 August 2008 |
Clinical Signs Seen in Horses
The following clinical signs have all been associated with Hendra Virus (HeV) cases but not all of these signs will be found in any one infected horse.
HeV has to be considered as a possible cause in horses that:
- Rapid onset of illness;
- Fever (39-40 degrees Celcius);
- Rapid deterioration;
- Respiratory signs;
- Neurological signs (loss of balance, loss of vision, head tilt, circling);
- Elevated heart rate (recorded up to 100 beats/minute) ;
- Facial swelling.
HeV is a notifiable disease which means that any person (including horse owners, carers and veterinarians) who suspects, diagnoses or confirms the presence of HeV must notify the nearest government biosecurity inspector immediately on:
- DPI&F’s information centre on 13 25 23 (business hours) or
- Emergency Animal Disease Watch Hotline 1800 675 888 (any time).
Clearly state to the person answering the phone that you are calling in regards to a suspect case of HeV.
Reduce the Risk – Biosecurity Considerations for Horses
The steps below can help to reduce the risk of your horse getting infected with HeV:
- Do not place feed and water containers under trees, particularly if flying foxes are attracted to those trees;
- Ideally, remove horses from paddocks where there are flowering /fruiting trees (eg. mango, fig). Return the horses after the trees have stopped flowering/fruiting;
- Do not use feed that might be attractive to flying foxes- fruit/vegetables or foods that are sweet (molasses);
- Ensure all equipment used with horses is clean before use and between use on different horses. This includes equipment such as nasogastric tubes, teeth rasps.
Hendra virus is very susceptible to detergents, soaps and the following disinfectants:
- Phenols, Quaternary Ammonium Compounds (QACs), Biguanides, Iodophores)
- Practical examples of these are DettolTM, alcoholic chlorhexidine, iodine solutions (BetadineTM) and SavlonTM. (sourced : AUSVETPLAN)
- Iodine solutions are inactivated by organic material (manure, blood etc) so this should be washed off before using this disinfectant.
The incubation period in horses (time from exposure to first signs) is between 5 and 16 days. Once a horse is showing clinical signs the illness progresses rapidly over a few days.
Reduce the Risk – Biosecurity Considerations for People
Although uncommon, horse to human infections has resulted from close contact with infected horses. HeV can cause life-threatening illness and people should be cautious with possible cases and ensure personal safety of themselves, their workers and others whenever there is a suspicion of HeV. HeV is NOT highly infectious and the spread of infection between horses and people can be minimised by good biosecurity measures such as:
- Wash hands with soap and water regularly during and after handling multiple horses;
- Wear appropriate clothing and gloves to reduce contact with saliva and other discharges from sick horses;
- Keep unwashed hands away from you eyes, mouth and nose.
If you have concerns about possible exposure of people to HeV immediately contact:
- Queensland Health Hotline on 13 Health (432 584)
Workplace Health & Safety Precautions
Employers of businesses involving handling horses have a duty of care to provide a safe work place. A plan for responding to a potential HeV case should be developed to prevent or minimise the risk to workers and others.
This is a complex area, anyone requiring advice or more details should contact:
Background
Hendra virus (HeV) was first isolated in 1994 and it is considered an emerging disease. Stringent biosecurity measures are necessary as the virus has the potential to be a serious disease that can transfer from animals to people (zoonosis). Although uncommon, horse to human infections have resulted from close contact with infected horses. HeV has caused death in 3 people. There are important public health and workplace health and safety issues that need to be considered by all people in contact with horses and careful management of any possible HeV situation is required.
HeV has been confirmed on eleven properties, ten of these are in Queensland and one in northern NSW.
YEAR DETAILS
1994 Mackay (2 horses),Hendra (20 horses)
1999 Cairns (1 horse)
2004 Cairns (1 horse),Townsville (1 horse)
2006 Peachester (1 horse),Murwillumbah (1 horse)
2007 Peachester (1 horse),Clifton Beach (1 horse)
2008 Redlands (5 horses),Proserpine (3 horses)
Flying foxes are the natural reservoir of HeV. How HeV transmission occurs between flying foxes and from flying foxes to horses is not yet known. Virus has been identified in the birthing fluids, placental material and aborted pups of flying foxes. The scientific information available for HeV is not complete and is still the subject of on going research.
Find out More (Click on these links):
DPI&F, Hendra Virus - Latest News
Flying-foxes - EPA/QPWS
Hendra Virus Infection - Queensland Health
Please note:
This set of guidelines is compiled for distribution for Queensland Horse Council Inc members and affiliates. It is based on the guidelines produced by DPI&F and information found on the DPI&F website. This information has addressed the clinical signs shown in horses and husbandry and biosecurity measures that can be taken to reduce the risk of HeV to horses and people. The content is based on what is currently known about HeV and what is believed to be true as at August 2008. As HeV is an area of on going research the information provided is subject to alteration when further knowledge is gained. This is by no means a comprehensive document relating to Hendra Virus (HeV) and links will be provided should further information be required.
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