AVA: Hendra Virus in South Australia No Surprise to Vets

The organization stresses the need for horse owners across the country to have their horses vaccinated.
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The Australian Veterinary Association (AVA) is not surprised by the discovery of the hendra virus in flying foxes in South Australia, and is stressing the need for horse owners across the country to have their horses vaccinated.

Previously the virus had only been found in Queensland and New South Wales. The virus has not been detected in any other species, including horses, in South Australia.

AVA National President Ben Gardiner, BVSc, CMAVA, said that no state or territory is immune from the deadly virus.

"Anywhere there are flying foxes there is the potential for the hendra virus to emerge and infect horses and people," he said. "Antibodies have been found in flying fox populations around Australia but this is the first time the actual virus has been found in flying fox tissue in South Australia. This means the bats had an active infection rather than exposure to the hendra virus. So it’s just a matter of time before there would be a case

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