NSW:Hendra claims 10th horse in NSW

AAP General News (Australia)
08-30-2011
NSW:Hendra claims 10th horse in NSW

SYDNEY, Aug 30 AAP - A tenth horse has died from the Hendra virus in NSW, bringing
the total number of nationwide deaths this year to 21.

The horse died on Sunday morning at a property north of Ballina, on the NSW north coast,
the NSW Department of Primary Industries said.

It had been noticeably ill on Saturday and showed neurological changes including weakness
and loss of balance.

NSW Chief Veterinary Officer Dr Ian Roth said the property had been quarantined and
the dead horse had been buried.

"While there are no other horses on the property, a dog on the property will be assessed,"

he said on Tuesday.

"The infected horse was grazing in a small paddock containing flowering and fruiting
trees, where flying foxes were active."

The virus is spread from flying foxes to horses and, rarely, from horses to people.

In one case in Queensland it was transmitted from horses to a dog.

So far this year, 11 Hendra-infected horses and one dog have died or been put down
in Queensland, and ten horses in NSW.

"It's critical that people keep horses away from fruiting and flowering trees that
might attract fruit bats," Dr Roth said.

"Horse owners need to maintain vigilance against this virus."

Authorities are now managing five quarantined properties and conducting extensive property
checks across NSW.

Eight properties have been confirmed positive for the Hendra virus in northern NSW,
including Wollongbar, Macksville, Lismore, Ballina, South Ballina, two properties at Mullumbimby
and North Ballina.

AAP tr/jjs

KEYWORD: HENDRA

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