ID :
211334
Wed, 10/05/2011 - 12:58
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Shortlink :
https://www.oananews.org//node/211334
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Hendra restrictions lifted in Qld and NSW
SYDNY (AAP) - Oct 05 - Quarantine restrictions have been lifted on the last remaining properties affected by the Hendra virus in Queensland and NSW.
Final testing of a dog on a Ballina property in NSW has come back negative and final testing on horses from a Gold Coast hinterland property has also returned negative results, allowing quarantine measures to be lifted.
Eleven Hendra-infected horses and one family dog have been put down in Queensland this year, while 10 horses with the virus either died or were put down in NSW in a record breakout of the virus.
More than 60 people were exposed to the virus and underwent testing during the outbreak, but none became ill.
Queensland chief veterinary officer Rick Symons said at the height of this year's breakouts, 100 horses were being monitored daily for the virus in Queensland.
"Biosecurity Queensland staff visited more than 500 properties in the vicinity of a Hendra virus infection over a 13-week response period," Dr Symons said in a statement on Wednesday.
Dr Symons said while there had been no new Hendra virus cases reported recently, people with horses should not become complacent.
"The number of cases in Queensland so far this year is certainly unprecedented," Dr Symons said.
"The focus for us now will be on learning from these experiences and, in particular, focusing on our research into the virus."
The NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) said despite the drop in cases, it was critical horse owners maintain vigilance against the deadly virus.
NSW acting chief veterinary officer Dr Sally Spence said it was unclear what led to the increased number of cases this year.
"This year has been the biggest outbreak of Hendra we've seen to date (in NSW), with only once case previously recorded at a property in Murwillumbah in 2006," Dr Spence said.
The DPI said one suggestion was that southern bats - who had not been previously affected by the Hendra virus - were exposed to northern Queensland bats forced south by cyclone Yasi and the widespread flooding.
To better understand what is behind the spike in cases this year, a taskforce was formed with the federal government chipping in $6 million to add to another $6 million being provided by the two state governments.
"Key research priorities identified by the taskforce include identifying why the virus infection spills over from flying foxes and how horses and other animals are exposed to the virus," Dr Spence said.
"With the arrival of spring, horse owners should keep an eye on fruiting and blossoming trees and ensure horses are kept well away from areas where bats congregate," she said.
Final testing of a dog on a Ballina property in NSW has come back negative and final testing on horses from a Gold Coast hinterland property has also returned negative results, allowing quarantine measures to be lifted.
Eleven Hendra-infected horses and one family dog have been put down in Queensland this year, while 10 horses with the virus either died or were put down in NSW in a record breakout of the virus.
More than 60 people were exposed to the virus and underwent testing during the outbreak, but none became ill.
Queensland chief veterinary officer Rick Symons said at the height of this year's breakouts, 100 horses were being monitored daily for the virus in Queensland.
"Biosecurity Queensland staff visited more than 500 properties in the vicinity of a Hendra virus infection over a 13-week response period," Dr Symons said in a statement on Wednesday.
Dr Symons said while there had been no new Hendra virus cases reported recently, people with horses should not become complacent.
"The number of cases in Queensland so far this year is certainly unprecedented," Dr Symons said.
"The focus for us now will be on learning from these experiences and, in particular, focusing on our research into the virus."
The NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) said despite the drop in cases, it was critical horse owners maintain vigilance against the deadly virus.
NSW acting chief veterinary officer Dr Sally Spence said it was unclear what led to the increased number of cases this year.
"This year has been the biggest outbreak of Hendra we've seen to date (in NSW), with only once case previously recorded at a property in Murwillumbah in 2006," Dr Spence said.
The DPI said one suggestion was that southern bats - who had not been previously affected by the Hendra virus - were exposed to northern Queensland bats forced south by cyclone Yasi and the widespread flooding.
To better understand what is behind the spike in cases this year, a taskforce was formed with the federal government chipping in $6 million to add to another $6 million being provided by the two state governments.
"Key research priorities identified by the taskforce include identifying why the virus infection spills over from flying foxes and how horses and other animals are exposed to the virus," Dr Spence said.
"With the arrival of spring, horse owners should keep an eye on fruiting and blossoming trees and ensure horses are kept well away from areas where bats congregate," she said.
