FED:Hendra claims three more NSW horses

AAP General News (Australia)
08-18-2011
FED:Hendra claims three more NSW horses

SYDNEY, Aug 18 AAP - Three more horses have died from the Hendra virus on the NSW north
coast, bringing the total number of deaths in the state to nine.

Two horses have died on a South Ballina property and one horse has died on a Mullumbimby
property, NSW Chief Veterinary Officer Ian Roth said on Thursday.

The precise time of the deaths is not known at this stage.

It follows the death of another horse at a different property near Ballina on Monday,
where two other horses were also deemed to be at risk and continue to be monitored.

Dr Roth said seven properties in NSW had now been affected by Hendra virus.

"It's critical horse owners maintain vigilance against this virus," he said in a statement.

The most recent deaths bring to 19 the number of horses infected with Hendra that have
died or been put down since June 20 this year - 10 in Queensland and nine in NSW.

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.

The Department of Primary Industries have quarantined both properties following the
latest cases in NSW.

"Four remaining horses on the South Ballina property and one horse at the Mullumbimby
property are currently showing no signs of illness and will be monitored twice daily,
Dr Roth said on Thursday.

"People should keep horses away from fruiting and flowering trees that might attract
fruit bats or other areas where bats are known to congregate."

AAP gg/tr/nb

KEYWORD: HENDRA

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