Further positive Hendra virus results in Rockhampton and Ingham
Two horses on the Rockhampton property where a horse died of Hendra virus last week have returned positive test results.
Biosecurity Queensland Chief Veterinary Officer Rick Symons said the two horses would be re-tested to confirm the results before a decision was made about future action. There are eight horses in total on the property.
“It is likely that the animals in Rockhampton contracted the disease from the originally infected horse which died last week,” Dr Symons said.
In addition, Biosecurity Queensland officers will be re-testing a dog on the Ingham property after it returned a weak positive test result.
“Further testing on the dog is needed as three out of the four samples taken from the animal were negative for Hendra virus,” Dr Symons said.
“This potential case would only be the second natural infection in a dog to be recorded.
“Five horses and a number of other animals remain on the Ingham property - all other animals have returned negative results in the first round of sampling.
“Follow up testing for all of these animals will be conducted at the Australian Animal Health Laboratory in Geelong.”
Dr Symons said the animals were being isolated until the additional testing was finalised.
“Biosecurity Queensland officers will continue to monitor the animals daily and work with the owners during this difficult time.”
Queensland Health's Senior Director Communicable Diseases Dr Christine Selvey said that even if found to be infected, there is minimal risk of infection to humans from the dog. Queensland health has spoken to the dog’s owners today.
Additionally Queensland Health is investigating whether any more people had contact with these new cases of infected horses.
"All identified contacts have been assessed as having low exposure.
"Queensland Health will continue to provide information and support to those contacts," she said.
