Picture perfect…A healthy alert horse.  Photo courtesy Heavy Thunder Down Under.

 9th July 2011 Hi Everyone and Welcome to Heavy Thunder.  Sadly there has been another serious outbreak of the Hendra Virus in South East Queensland and New South Wales so we thought we would include the signs and symptoms of this insidious disease. That way, it is our hope; you’ll all stay well to visit us on Heavy Thunder another day.

Horses, Humans and the Hendra Virus

Hi everyone and welcome once again

  Today we thought we would look at how to identify the Hendra Virus if you are unfortunate enough to notice a sick animal.  You will also need to be diligent in yours and your horse’s hygiene.  Most people think it will never happen to me.  Unfortunately I can say without equivocation it can as I have lost one husband in a motor vehicle accident.  Not at all related to HEv, but life happens and people get sick or have accidents…

So back to the challenge we are all facing and let’s focus on the Hendra Virus, known in veterinary circles as HEv.  Fortunately so far it is not known not to have been spread from human to human as it is known as a zoonotic disease.  Or a disease transferred from animal hosts to people.

 
It’s so important to note the disease can be spread from an animal to a human weather the animal is dead or alive.  But please, if you live near bats, don’t attempt to handle them as you can contract other fatal diseases from them like, lyssavirus.  

 
Pteropodid or flying foxes may seem cute and cuddly but we all need to remember they are wild animals and should not be handled by people unfamiliar with them.

So…How do you know if your horse has developed the Hendra Virus?  Please refer to the following information by the Australian Veterinary Association.  It is our hope if you notice the following symptoms in any of your horses, you can contact your veterinary surgeon and and all stay both safe and well…

Symptoms:

The following symptoms have all been associated with HeV cases, but not all of these symptoms will be found in any one infected horse:

•    rapid onset of illness
•    increased body temperature/fever
•    increased heart rate
•    discomfort/weight shifting between legs
•    depression
•    rapid deterioration

Respiratory signs include:

•    respiratory distress
•    increased respiratory rates
•    nasal discharge at death-can be initially clear, progressing to stable white froth and/or stable blood-stained froth

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 HeV.  The following points, when combined with the above signs, could also support suspicion of HeV:

•    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 HeV.

If you see these symptoms:

•    Call your local veterinarian, or Biosecurity Queensland on 13 25 23.
•    Shower and change clothes if you have handled a sick horse.

If you have been near sick horses please consider staying away from other horses. If you notice a sick horse, separate them from the rest of the herd if you have more than one animal.  Please remember to observe good hygiene management and contact your vet if you notice something isn’t quite right with your horse.

Thank you for joining us today.

Please look after yourselves and we’ll look forward to seeing you next time.

Cheers

Paul and Jann