Australian Horse Owners: Consider Hendra Vaccines for Horses

The New South Wales Department of Primary Industries is encouraging owners to see their veterinarians and work out a hendra virus vaccination strategy for their horses.
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The New South Wales (NSW), Australia, Department of Primary Industries (DPI) is encouraging horse owners to see their veterinarians and work out a hendra virus vaccination strategy for their horses.

“We are coming into the season when horses have been infected with hendra in NSW in the past, so now is the time to consider a vaccine booster for your horse,” DPI Senior Veterinary Officer Paul Freeman said. “Vaccination is the single most effective way of reducing the risk of hendra virus infection in horses. Vaccinating horses is also an important measure to prevent people being infected and potentially dying, which has happened following high-level exposure to body fluids from an infected horse.”

Freeman said last year officials confirmed hendra in four horses and one dog on four separate NSW premises: two properties near Macksville and two properties near Kempsey.

“Already this year, Biosecurity Queensland (Australia) has dealt with a property in the Bundaberg area after positive test results in March; it was the first hendra virus incident in Queensland this year," he said. "The timing of this latest case in Queensland highlights the need for horse owners to remain vigilant in taking steps to reduce the risk of infection as hendra virus can occur year round

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