Veterinarians have called for mandatory vaccination of horses against the Hendra virus. I would imagine protecting the Kentucky Derby entrants is important, too. This is traumatic realization to the horse industry, be it commerial racehorses, precious show horses or backyard pleasure horses.
Factsheet
July 2009
Hendra virus (HeV) is a rare, (click here) emerging zoonotic virus (a virus transmitted to humans from animals), that can cause respiratory and neurological disease and death in people. It can also cause severe disease and death in horses, resulting in considerable economic losses for horse breeders.
Initially named Equine Morbilivirus, Hendra virus is a member of the genus Henipavirus, a new class of virus in the Paramyxoviridae family. It is closely related to Nipah virus.
Although Hendra virus has caused only a few outbreaks, its potential for further spread and ability to cause disease and death in people have made it a public health concern. The concern has heightened in the most recent outbreaks, as the horses’ symptoms have shifted to become largely neurological instead of respiratory. This suggests the possibility of genetic diversity in the strain, and potentially a more infective virus....
The horse industry has been through this before and require many proof of vaccines when transporting intrastate in the USA or across borders into Canada and Europe.
Four horses have died from the disease in the Kempsey and Macksville areas in the past month. (click here)
Three properties remain in quarantine, six more horses will be tested for Hendra today and be vaccinated against it.
Kempsey vet Andrew Bennett said Hendra has never before been seen as far south as the Macleay Valley.
"This is the first this has been on our doorstep," she said.
"It's been extremely frantic since we had our first diagnosis of Hendra in this district on Sunday night.
"The people of the town have obviously been anxious to get their horses in and get them vaccinated.
"So besides dealing with a lot of enquires we're trying to rollout as much vaccine as we can as quickly as possible," she said.
Meanwhile the North Coast Public Health Unit says the owner of the horse that died from Hendra yesterday has been assessed for exposure to the virus.
