Hendra virus continues in Queensland

By Dr. Ananya Mandal, MDJul 24 2011

Experts have confirmed the eighth outbreak of the deadly Hendra virus in Queensland in a horse on the western Darling Downs. It is not known yet if a large number of people have been exposed to the sick animal, with passers-by and neighbours possibly having stroked it on the Chinchilla property where it lived as a pet.

According to Queensland chief biosecurity officer Jim Thompson the horse showed rapid onset of the illness last Wednesday and died while a vet was in attendance. He said the horse was being kept with four others on a small property that would now be quarantined for 30 days and tested. Staff from the department was visiting the property yesterday to decide whether any human testing or treatment was needed. Dr Thompson said while the case was the first time Hendra had spread so far west, it was not surprising that it had as flying foxes and horses both live in that region.

Queensland Health chief health officer Jeannette Young said it was thought the vet had been wearing full protective gear, but other people could possibly have had contact with the sick horse. She added, “Because this property, I understand, is fairly close to Chinchilla there may well have been people who were passing by who might have patted the horse… So we'll ... door knock all the surrounding houses ... just in case they've had any contact with the horse.” She said 57 Queenslanders were undergoing three rounds of testing, all of which had come back negative so far. “We know it takes a very large amount of exposure for a human to actually develop the disease…We don't expect any of those tests to come back positive,” she explained.

“Despite the eight cases to date, I must reiterate that this is not a highly contagious disease and we don't believe there is any need to be taking further actions…This is under control,” said Dr. Thompson. Ten horses have died in eight locations across the state, 87 are being monitored and up to 60 people have been tested, since the first outbreak last month.

“Staff are also available to assist anyone with concerns [regarding spread of Hendra virus] via 13 HEALTH (13 43 25 84) and mental health staff are on standby to provide any counseling or support,” said Dr. Young.