ALERT: New Hendra 'variant strain' case near Newcastle NSW

07 Oct 2021

The NSW CVO Dr Sarah Britton has contacted Equine Veterinarian Australia to advise that a private veterinarian, wearing PPE, has diagnosed a positive novel Hendra virus-variant case in a 7-year-old UNVACCINATED Clydesdale horse from West Wallsend, near Newcastle, NSW on Tuesday 5 October. The positive test results were confirmed at the Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness (previously known as AAHL) today, Thursday 7 October. This is the furthest South that a positive case has been diagnosed, but not necessarily surprising since grey headed flying foxes are confirmed to host the HeV-variant.

None of the five other horses on the property are showing any signs of ill health. Their health status will be monitored daily. Public Health Officers from NSW health are undertaking risk assessments of any people who have had contact with the infected horse.

All veterinarians and staff are reminded that the signs and symptoms of Hendra can be vague and variable depending on the stage of the disease, so please utilise Personal Protective Equipment with horses that present suspect clinical signs. Further information can found on the AVA website Hendra section and the NSW Government and QLD Government sites. Two excellent EVA Videos on PPE for veterinarians are available HERE.

The NSW CVO Bulletin is can be found HERE. A District Veterinarian from Hunter Local Land Services has issued an Individual Biosecurity Direction to control the movement of animals and people on and off the property for 21 days.

The NSW Department of Primary Industries media release can be found here. 

If you have any questions, please email the EVA Executive Officer Jeffrey Wilkinson, who is always happy to assist EVA members.