NEWS

Horse owner survey on Hendra virus - 13th January 2012
This survey is being conducted and funded by the Queensland Centre for Emerging Infectious Diseases, Biosecurity Queensland.

This survey is aimed to assess horse owners’ husbandry management practices for their horse(s) and their perception and attitude toward Hendra virus.

The information you provide will be used to inform support agencies on Hendra virus risk management planning and recommendations. In addition, this study will provide the opportunity to gauge the level of information on Hendra virus received by horse owners and whether an information gap exists.

The survey findings will be reported back to all leading support agencies including Biosecurity Queensland and Biosecurity New South Wales, and the horse industry sectors upon request.

Your information will also be of value to those working in human health planning, and will help improve response to any similar threats in the future.

Click here to complete the survey.

QLD Hendra Virus Update - 5th January 2012
A deceased horse on a property in the Townsville area has returned a positive test result for Hendra virus infection.

Queensland Chief Veterinary Officer, Dr Rick Symons said the horse had shown rapid onset of illness.

“The horse died on Tuesday and the positive result for the virus came back late last night,” Dr Symons said.

“The veterinarian who attended the horse used the proper precautions including the use of personal protective equipment (PPE).

“Biosecurity Queensland is in the process of quarantining this property and will test and monitor the other five horses at this location over the next month.”

Queensland's Chief Health Officer Dr Jeannette Young said public health experts would visit the property today to assess the situation and determine how many people, if any, had contact with the infected horse.

"Queensland Health staff will continue to undertake contact tracing work to ensure all people potentially exposed to the sick horse have been identified," Dr Young said.

"Queensland Health stands ready to provide any assistance, counselling, information, testing or treatment that may be required."

Dr Symons said a Hendra virus case in the middle of summer was unusual, although it had occurred before.

“There was a previous case in the Townsville area in December 2004,” he said.

“Even though the majority of cases tend to occur in the July-September period, we have consistently said that Hendra virus infection can occur throughout the year.

”Horse owners should not be complacent and as much as possible keep horses away from areas where there is flying fox activity.

“We will deal with this latest case just as we have with previous cases through a process of quarantine, testing and monitoring.

“In each Hendra virus incident the property has been isolated and there has been no spread of the infection to another property.”

The Queensland Horse Council stresses the need to be aware that Hendra virus can occur wherever there are flying foxes and horses, and because of the large area that flying foxes travel over, cases can occur across a large proportion of the state and at any time of year. For information about how you can reduce the risks to yourself and your horse please read the Queensland Horse Council fact sheets:-

• Bats & Trees
• Hendra – Property Design
• Hendra Virus – Reducing the Risk
• Hendra Virus

SA Hendra Virus Update - 20th October 2011
Biosecurity SA is continuing to monitor the current outbreak of Hendra virus in Queensland and northern New South Wales.

While there has never been a case of Hendra virus in horses detected in South Australia horse owners need to be aware that this is a possibility. Horse owners should take steps to minimise the potential for contact between the flying foxes and their horses.

To view the official media release please click here.

QLD Hendra Virus Update - 18th October 2011
A second horse has been euthanased at a Beachmere property after returning a positive test result for Hendra virus infection. Queensland Chief Veterinary Officer Dr. Rick Symons said this was one of the two remaining horses at the Beachmere property where a horse was euthanased last Tuesday.

“Samples were taken for Hendra virus testing from the two horses remaining on the property and we received a positive result for one of these horses,” Dr. Symons said. “Three horses have now died at this property in the past fortnight. One was euthanased almost two weeks ago after becoming seriously ill and being diagnosed as suffering from colic. No samples from that horse are available for testing and we will not be able to confirm if that horse was actually infected by Hendra virus.”

Dr. Symons said the property would remain under quarantine until at least late November. This Hendra virus incident is the tenth in Queensland this year and this latest case is the thirteenth horse to be infected with the virus.

QLD Hendra Virus Update - 10th October 2011
A sick horse on a property in the Caboolture area has been euthanased after returning a positive test result for Hendra virus infection. Queensland Chief Veterinary Officer Dr. Rick Symons said the horse had become sick over the weekend and was treated by a private veterinarian.

“Samples were taken for Hendra virus testing and the positive result came back late last night,” Dr. Symons said. “Another horse was euthanased at this property over a week ago. Biosecurity Queensland is seeking samples from that horse as well to test for Hendra virus. "There are two remaining horses on the property. Biosecurity Queensland is in the process of quarantining the property and will assess and monitor the other horses at this location over the next month.”

Queensland's Chief Health Officer Dr. Jeannette Young said public health experts would visit the property today to assess the situation and determine how many humans, if any, had contact with the infected horse. “Queensland Health staff will continue to undertake contact tracing work to ensure all people potentially exposed to the sick horse have been identified,” Dr. Young said.

"Queensland Health stands ready to provide any assistance, counselling, information, testing or treatment that may be required. I can also confirm that the follow up results are negative for all 66 people being monitored from previous Hendra virus cases this year.” Dr. Symons said this incident was the tenth in Queensland this year and this was the twelfth horse to be infected with the virus.

“We have consistently said that Hendra virus infection can occur throughout the year and we remind horse owners not to become complacent, but remain vigilant for the signs of Hendra virus at all times” he said. “We will deal with this latest case just as we have with previous cases through a process of quarantine, testing and monitoring.

“Each incident this year has been isolated and there has been no spread of the infection from one property to another. Our focus remains on learning from these experiences and pursuing a range of avenues of research using the $12 million in funding provided by the Commonwealth, Queensland and New South Wales governments.”

Up to date information on Hendra virus is available at www.biosecurity.qld.gov.au, including important workplace health and safety information for horse properties and other horse related businesses, and details of upcoming public information sessions.

For more information contact Biosecurity Queensland on 13 25 23 or visit www.biosecurity.qld.gov.au.

NSW Hendra Virus Update - 10th October 2011
There are currently no properties quarantined in NSW, with all previously infected properties declared safe by NSW authorities.

NSW Minister for Primary Industries Katrina Hodgkinson has today announced new research projects aimed at protecting our equine industry from the deadly Hendra virus.

“$5 million has been allocated to five research projects looking at vital issues such as how the virus is transmitted, vaccine development, flying fox dispersal, transmission in dogs and testing and risk management strategies,” Katrina Hodgkinson said.
“The research projects are being coordinated through the cross-border Hendra taskforce, which includes Chief Veterinary Officers, Chief Health Officers and Chief scientists from both states as well as CSIRO representatives.

“The NSW Government’s world-renowned Elizabeth Macarthur Agricultural Institute will lead a $900,000 study looking at virology issues, including new state-of-the-art testing techniques and how various animals, including horses, dogs and cats, contract and respond to the deadly disease. “The project will provide vital intelligence to both Government authorities and private veterinarians on the risk factors that lead to transmission and how we can take steps to prevent infection of other horses, and critically, humans.

“An epidemiologist from NSW’s Wollongbar Primary Industries Institute is also closely involved in research projects looking at the transmission of the virus from flying foxes to horses and the impact flying fox dispersal has on virus infection levels. The research teams bring together some of the world’s leading thinkers in epidemiology, virology, veterinary science, and zoonotic and human health fields."

Katrina Hodgkinson said this year has been the largest outbreak of Hendra the two States have seen. “In NSW the virus claimed ten horse deaths at eight properties, all on the NSW North Coast,” Katrina Hodgkinson said. “These critical new research projects aim to get to the bottom of this year’s spike and look at new ways to reduce further cases in the future and ultimately minimise the risk of human infection.

“Hendra is a deadly virus and the NSW Government is taking every precaution possible to protect the health of our community and the State’s valuable horse industries. From one end of the State to the other, NSW Department of Primary Industries and the Livestock Health and Pest Authorities are working with landholders and private veterinarians to undertake extensive surveillance of suspect cases. NSW authorities have assessed some 220 properties since we identified the first case at Wollongbar back in June 2011.”

NSW Hendra Virus Update: Guidelines for the management of suspect Hendra cases at horse events - 29th September 2011
Please click here for more details.

The Facts about Hendra Virus (information courtesy of Qld Government)
Flying Foxes and Hendra Virus - Facts for the Community
What is Hendra Virus
QHealth Fact Sheet - Hendra Virus
Workplace Health and Safety Information for Horse Businesses

Hendra virus infection confirmed in dog
The Australian Animal Health Laboratory (AAHL) in Geelong has confirmed that a dog has tested positive for Hendra virus. Queensland Chief Veterinary Officer, Dr. Rick Symons said this was an unprecedented situation. “This is the first time outside of a laboratory that an animal other than a flying fox or a horse, or a human, has been confirmed with Hendra virus infection,” Dr. Symons said.

“The dog is on a property where Hendra virus infection has been confirmed and is currently under quarantine. Biosecurity Queensland’s policy is to test cats and dogs on properties where there are infected horses. In this case, the dog returned two negative results for the presence of the virus but a different type of test conducted at AAHL has confirmed the presence of antibodies. This means that at some point the dog has been exposed to the virus but to our knowledge has shown no signs of illness.”

Dr. Symons said this case raised many questions for biosecurity and health officials and researchers. “We don’t know how the dog contracted the virus or when it happened,” he said. “Based on our knowledge to date, it is most likely that the dog caught the virus from an infected horse. The remaining horses and dogs on this property are still being monitored daily and show no signs of illness. Biosecurity Queensland has tested other cats and dogs on the eleven properties currently under quarantine in Queensland and has received no other positive results. We recommend that people keep dogs and cats away from sick horses to reduce the risk of such an infection happening.”

Queensland's Chief Health Officer Dr. Jeannette Young said Queensland Health would today speak with the property owners to assess if there were any further people who may have had contact with the infected dog. "We will continue to monitor the property owners and all previously identified contacts for infected horses on this property," Dr. Young said. "While we have not seen Hendra virus in a dog before, I believe there is a minimal risk of infection to humans from this animal. For a human to become infected, they would have had to have significant contact with bodily secretions (saliva and/or blood) that contain the Hendra virus."

Dr. Young said Queensland Health continued to have a number of staff working on the Hendra response, including public health officials, medical and testing staff. "Staff are also available to assist anyone with concerns via 13 HEALTH (13 43 25 84), and mental health staff are on standby to provide counselling or support," she said.

NSW Guidelines for Horse Event Organisers and Competitors
Horses at events have the potential to spread infectious disease. All event participants have a responsibility to maintain good biosecurity, and not put the health of other people’s horses at risk.
Please click here to download the NSW DPI guidelines.

Hendra Virus - Facts for Horse Owners
Please click here to download a fact sheet on Hendra Virus, including how to minimise your risk of Hendra for yourself and your horse. Courtesy of Equine Veterinarians Australia.

QLD Hendra Virus Contacts
Click here to view the Hendra Virus Community Engagement Calendar.

Notify suspected Hendra virus cases by contacting Biosecurity Queensland on 13 25 23 (during business hours) or the Emergency Animal Disease Watch Hotline on 1800 675 888 (24-hour hotline).

More information is available at www.biosecurity.qld.gov.au. If you have missed any information that has been previously distributed by Biosecurity Queensland, visit the News and Updates page on the website.

For human related enquiries, contact the Queensland Health Hotline on 13HEALTH (13 43 25 84). For workplace health and safety enquiries, contact Workplace Health and Safety Queensland on 1300 369 915. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter for the latest information.

Hendra Virus Update - 22 December 2009
Click here for the most recent Hendra Virus (HeV) information updates from the Australian NSW Government Department of Industry and Investment. This document includes a description of the Hendra Virus and links to additional information such as how to identify the virus in horses and humans, the latest research, and who to contact if you believe a horse or human is infected.

The NSW Department of Primary Industries are implementing compliance audits throughout New South Wales to ensure all Queensland stock owners have carried out the correct requirements for entry to New South Wales.

Click here to view the Department’s guidelines on ‘The do's and don'ts of moving horses from QLD and NSW’

Click here to download an information brochure on ‘The do's and don'ts of moving horses from QLD and NSW’

First Australia, now the world – that’s the future for the Australian Stock Horse, with today’s historic first meeting of the USA Branch of the Australian Stock Horse Society. A five-member executive has been elected to spearhead the Australian Stock Horse Society’s international push, with all members passionate about promoting the breed in the United States.

Australian Stock Horse Society Limited Board Chairman, Ms Joy Poole OAM, said it was an important step in highlighting the strengths of the Australian Stock Horse, which is renowned for its versatility and superior performance amongst work and leisure breeds.

‘Instead of tapping into a population of 23 million, our push into the USA now means we are tapping into a population of 350 million, which augurs well for the future of the Australian Stock Horse Society,’ Ms Poole said.

‘Most of the people on the Australian Stock Horse Society’s first executive in the USA first came into contact with the breed while playing polocrosse in Australia. They recognise the breed’s incredible versatility.’

The first USA Branch Executive for the Australian Stock Horse Society comprises:

Kellee Campbell - A veterinarian, Kellee has been breeding horses for the past 20 years and stands an Australian Stock Horse stallion at her property in central Texas. Kellee has made several trips to Australia, including a week-long study of the Australian Stock Horse breed at the Australian Stock Horse Society World Championships in Tamworth in May this year.

Susan Johnson - Of the 11 horses on Susan’s 20-acre ranch in McDade, Texas, five are Australian Stock Horse crosses (four First Crosses and one Second Cross). A 44-year-old small animal veterinarian, she and her husband Paul have played polocrosse for more than 20 years.

Marilyn Murphy - A breeder of Australian Stock Horses since 2002, Marilyn had the first registered Australian Stock Horse born in the USA and the first one bred and born in the country. Marilyn has made two trips to Australia – one of which included a visit to the Australian Stock Horse Society’s Head Office in Scone – and her son and daughter have both represented the USA in Polocrosse World Cups.

John Thomson - An expat-Australian, John is one of the trailblazers for the Australian Stock Horse in the USA. He has four imported and 13 Stud Book Australian Stock Horses in his herd, and produces up to five Stud Book Australian Stock Horses each year – all of which he breaks-in and trains. A teacher by day, Aussie John is a proud advocate for the breed in the USA.

John Gleeson - Another ex-pat Aussie, John now calls Texas home and has lived in the USA for several years. John imported an Australian Stock Horse stallion, WALDRONS STARMAN, to the USA and along with his entire family is heavily involved with polocrosse in the USA.

Media Contact
Joy Poole OAM - Board Chairman, Australian Stock Horse Society Limited
Phone (02) 6577 5518 Email: info@ashs.com.au

To download the full media release please click here.

Following the recent resignation of Catherine Smith, Maree Sankey has been appointed as Acting General Manager of the Society. Maree has worked as Office Manager at Head Office since 2007, and looks forward to continuing to develop membership and business initiatives in her new role.

The Society congratulates Catherine on her achievements as General Manager, and wish her all the very best in her future endeavours.

Over the past six months the Board of Directors of the Australian Stock Horse Society has been investigating an opportunity to relocate the Head Office to the newly developed equine precinct in Tamworth.

After thorough investigation and review of the comprehensive feasibility report, the Board of Directors resolved to retain the Head Office operation in Scone.

The Board were conscious of the long term financial commitment required to facilitate the relocation. Given the current economic climate and several other factors, including covenants on the proposed block of land, the Board have agreed it was in the best interests of the members to remain in Scone.

The Australian Stock Horse Society wants the Australian Stock Horse to have the highest profile of any breed of horse in Australia with worldwide recognition. The Society aims to preserve the heritage and identity of the Australian Stock Horse and to promote the development and popularity of Australian Stock Horses throughout Australia and the world whilst maintaining the heritage and to promote the bloodlines and high performance of the Australian Stock Horse among equestrian activities and the general public.

The Society will be working with Upper Hunter Shire Council to ensure the council continues to deliver on their commitments. It is critical that the Council’s activities and future development complement and support the aims and mission of the Australian Stock Horse Society. The Society look forward to building a stronger partnership with the Upper Hunter Shire Council.

Please click here to view the Official Media Release.

Affinity Insurance Brokers can now insure your Australian Stock Horse online. The new online system is quick and easy to use and can give you an 'on the spot quote'.

This new package provides Mortality cover for your horse for up to $30,000. You will then also have access to a number of options including:
• Personal Accident cover for (at least 3 riders/handlers of your horse) up to $100,000
• Public Liability cover (Australia wide)
• Horse Floats
• Veterinary Fees - cover for up to $7,500
• Harness, Saddlery & Tack

As a special offer, ASHS Members will receive a $20 discount for using the online system.

Do you want to insure your Australian Stock Horse? Please click here for more information.