Tests for Hendra virus on seven north Queenslanders negative

Jul 21 2008

According to health authorities in north Queensland tests on seven people tested for the Hendra equine virus have been negative.

The tests were carried out following the death of a horse from the virus on a property at Cannonvale near Proserpine.

The potentially deadly Hendra virus has been a concern in the last two weeks after three horses were infected at a Brisbane Bayside veterinary clinic two weeks ago - one horse died, another was put down and a third recovered.

Subsequently a vet Dr. Ben Cunneen and nurse who were treating the three horses became sick and they are now in hospital; another 50 staff who also came into contact with the three horses have been tested for the virus.

According to the health authorities a final round of tests will be conducted today which will establish whether those involved are clear.

The Hendra virus requires 14 days to incubate and negative tests after this stage are usually conclusive.

The Hendra virus is carried by fruit bats and transmitted to horses; humans can become infected through contact with infected horses.

The remaining 37 horses being held in quarantine at the Redlands clinic will be retested on Wednesday and follow negative results a fortnight ago on all the horses.

Staff at the clinic which was quarantined on July 8th are anxiously awaiting the retest so the matter can be resolved and the practice can return to normal.

Authorities say there was is no link between the two outbreaks.

The last major outbreak of the Hendra virus in 1994 claimed the life of prominent horse trainer Vic Rail and 14 horses also died.