After the second horse death on the north coast, fifteen people are being monitored for any signs of the Hendra virus. The horse died at Macksville south of Coffs Harbour on Sunday and another horse was put down near Wollongbar, Alstonville last Friday.
The Department of Primary Industries has ruled-out a link between the two Hendra cases. According to Department of Health's Doctor Jeremy McAnulty, it appears that there has been minimal human contact with the Macksville horse and two people might be tested. He said, “Well not everyone will need testing, we've done some preliminary assessment of that risk and it seems perhaps a minority of people had any exposure that would require testing as a precaution. But we are still getting information on that and making that assessment.” He explained outbreaks of Hendra virus are rare, but people dealing with horses should take health precautions. He added, “I think people realize Hendra is a very serious infection, but fortunately it's rare, but when it does occur it's very serious in people. Its important people remember those safety tips when dealing with horses and that's making sure they practice good infection control. Particularly along the lines of washing hands thoroughly after touching horses and particularly after touching body fluids of horses.”
Hendra outbreaks have been relatively regular in Queensland since the disease was identified in 1994 - averaging one or two a year - the only other known NSW case was in 2006 near Murwillumbah, just over the border. NSW chief vet Ian Roth confirmed yesterday the Macksville outbreak was the most southerly on record, and underlined how health authorities did not “really understand the full picture” of how the virus was spread by flying foxes. Queensland's chief veterinary officer, Rick Symons, said that flying foxes ranged as far south as Victoria, and all bats had to be regarded as potential carriers of the disease. He said, “What's happening this year is obviously worse than any in the past in terms of spreading the virus.”
Mr Roth said bio-investigators were satisfied the infected Macksville horse had not been off the quarantined property and had contracted the virus there. The property contains fig trees, which are known to attract bats when flowering at this time of year. Three other horses on the property remained outwardly well.
The Mayor of Macksville-based Nambucca Shire Council, Rhonda Hoban, said people were worried that bat numbers seemed to have swelled, and the bats were also nesting nearer to residential areas. “It darkens the sky when they move all at once,” she said.
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