The Hendra virus was detected in a horse in Queensland, Australia, for the first time in five years. The horse’s condition worsened in a short period of time because it had not received the vaccine.
“Tracking and risk assessments have been carried out on other animals in the environment,” said Dr Allison Crook, Chief Veterinary Officer Biosecurity Queensland, Australia, quoted by ABC News Australia, Monday (11/7/2022).
Dr Crook also explained that his party was already working with Queensland Public Health experts to carry out contact tracing in humans.
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“We are also working with Public Health Queensland experts to trace whether there has been human contact with infected horses. We stand ready to provide any necessary assistance, counselling, information, tests or treatment,” he added.
Furthermore, Dr. Crook said, Hendra virus infection can occur at any time and farm owners should immediately contact a veterinarian if their horse is sick. There are two obvious symptoms when a horse is infected with the Hendra virus.
“First we can see the symptoms in the horse’s breathing, usually they have discharge from the nose. Then the neurological symptoms, we can see the walking horse staggering and stumbling,” he said.
According to veterinarian Bruce Howlett Jr., the Hendra virus is very worrying because it carries a huge risk to humans. Previously, it was often mentioned that it had the potential to become the next pandemic.
“The case fatality rate is 57 percent in humans,” said Dr Howlett.
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