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HRA Industry Notice - Hendra Virus: Reduce The Risk
14 July 2011
Industry participants will have read or heard the various media reports regarding the management of Hendra virus incidents in Queensland and New South Wales.
It is important to note that while the Hendra virus is not highly infectious and horses are not subject to movement restrictions other than for quarantined properties – the Hendra virus can potentially occur wherever there are fruit bats and horse owners and trainers should be vigilant for signs consistent with Hendra virus infection.
To reduce the risk to people and horses, there are a number of measures being promoted by Biosecurity Queensland and NSW Primary Industries that horse owners and trainers can take to reduce the risk of horses becoming infected with Hendra virus:
- Practice good biosecurity, and not travel, work on or take unwell horses to other properties or events
- Ensure that sick horses are isolated from other horses, people and animals until a veterinarian's opinion is obtained
- Remove horse feed and water containers from under trees. If possible, place feed and water containers under a shelter
- Remove horses from paddocks where flowering/fruiting trees have resulted in a temporary surge in flying fox numbers. Horses can be returned after the trees have stopped flowering/fruiting
- If it is not possible to remove horses from paddocks, try to temporarily remove your horses during times of peak flying fox activity (usually at dusk and during the night) or fence off access to trees that are identified as attractive to flying foxes
