25062013_HENDRA VIRUS_Steps to reducing the risk

• Talk to your veterinarian about the option of vaccinating your horse against Hendra virus.

 

• Horse feed and water containers should be removed from under trees. If possible, place feed and water containers under a shelter.

 

• Owners should inspect and identify flowering/fruiting trees on their property. Horses should be removed from paddocks where flowering/fruiting trees are attracting flying foxes. Horses should be returned only after the trees have stopped flowering/fruiting and the flying foxes have gone. If horses cannot be removed from the paddock, consider fencing (temporary or permanent) to restrict access to flowering/ fruiting trees. Clean up any fruit debris underneath the trees before returning horses. 

 

• If it is not possible to remove horses from paddocks, try to temporarily remove your horses during times of peak flying fox activity (usually at dusk and during the night).

 

• Ensure that sick horses are isolated from other horses, people and animals until a veterinarian’s opinion is obtained. 

 

• If there is more than one horse on your property, handle unaffected horses first and then only handle sick horses after taking appropriate precautions.

 

• Make sure gear exposed to any body fluids from horses is cleaned and disinfected before it is used on another horse. This includes halters, lead ropes and twitches. Talk to your veterinarian about which cleaning agents and disinfectants to use.

 

• When cleaning contaminated equipment from a sick horse, wear gloves, cover any cuts or grazes and wash your hands thoroughly afterwards.

 

• It is essential that horse owners practise good biosecurity and not travel with, work on or take sick horses to other properties or equestrian events.

 

• Do not allow visiting horse practitioners (e.g. farriers) to work on sick horses. 

 

• Seek veterinary advice before bringing any sick horse onto your property.