Urgent message sent to Qld vets after Hendra virus emerges

Queensland’s veterinary regulator will issue an urgent notice after the first death of a horse from Hendra virus in the state in three years.

A horse was confirmed dead from the Hendra virus on Sunday. Picture: Thinkstock/File photo

Queensland’s veterinary regulator will issue urgent legal advice to all registered veterinarians across the state, reinforcing that they are within their rights to refuse treatment to unvaccinated horses, even in emergency situations, after the death of a horse in the southeast from Hendra virus.

The Veterinary Surgeons Board of Queensland said the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries would distribute a formal communique clarifying veterinarians’ legal and ethical responsibilities.

While vets are encouraged to provide first aid, they are under no legal obligation to accept an unvaccinated horse as a client, regardless of the urgency.

Veterinary Surgeons Board of Queensland registra Valeria Mustafay said although there was an ethical responsibility to provide first aid in an emergency, veterinarians are able to refuse to provide services to existing clients if their horse is unvaccinated and they are concerned about HeV, even in an emergency.

Biosecurity Queensland confirmed the detection on Sunday, revealing they were working closely with the horse’s owner to ensure the risk of the virus was contained to the property.

It was the first Hendra death in the state in three years.

Queensland Health has been brought in to manage the health of people who came into contact with the horse, as the virus - while rare - can spread to humans and cause death.

Health Minister Tim Nicholls said people who had close contact with the horse were being closely watched, although none have shown symptoms so far.

Bat cells containing the Hendra virus. Picture: CSRIO

“The animal has been destroyed,” Mr Nicholls said.

The horse was not vaccinated against Hendra virus. There is no vaccine against Hendra virus for humans.

Biosecurity Queensland Acting Chief Veterinary Officer Dr Fiona Thompson said vaccination of horses was the most effective way to help manage Hendra virus disease.

“Hendra virus infection can occur throughout the year, so it’s important that horse owners and people in contact with horses take steps to protect themselves and their animals at all times,” she said.

“If a horse becomes sick, owners should contact their veterinarian immediately.”

Queensland Chief Health Officer Dr Heidi Carroll said public health staff had contacted all known people who have been exposed to the infectious horse.

“While the Hendra virus can spread from horses to people, it is rare. We know from past cases of Hendra virus infection in horses that most people exposed remain well and don’t contract the infection,” she said.

“People who are assessed as having a high level of exposure to the infected horse will undergo prioritised testing for the virus.”

Hendra virus is transmitted from flying fox to horse according to health authorities, then from horse to horse, or horse to dog, or horse to human.

It is believed horses contract Hendra virus by coming into contact with material contaminated by infected flying fox body fluids and excretions.

Originally published as Urgent message sent to Qld vets after Hendra virus emerges