Hendra virus is a notifiable disease.
Under Queensland legislation, if you suspect the presence of this disease in horses, you MUST report it to Biosecurity
Queensland. Call Queensland DPI on 13 25 23 or the Emergency Disease Watch Hotline 1800 675 888
Neurological signs include:
- ‘wobbly gait’
- apparent loss of vision in one or both eyes
- aimless walking in a dazed state
- head tilting and circling
- muscle twitching
- urinary incontinence
- inability to rise.
A range of other observations have also been recorded in individual horses infected with Hendra virus.
The following points, when combined with the above signs, could also support suspicion of Hendra virus:
- there are multiple deaths over a period of time or a high rate of deaths occurs within 48 hours
- some cases have initially been reported as colic
- there are flying foxes in the area, although a lack of sightings does not exclude Hendra virus.
If you see these symptoms:
- call your local veterinarian or Biosecurity
- Queensland on 13 25 23
- shower, shampoo your hair and change your clothes if you have handled a sick horse
- stay away from other horses.