you are here: Primary Industry / Animals / Animal Health and Disease / Hendra Virus

Animal Biosecurity Branch - Biosecurity & Product Integrity

Hendra Virus

Hendra virus is a virus of flying foxes that on very rare occasions may cause respiratory or neurological disease in horses or people. There have been no known cases of Hendra virus in horses or people in the Northern Territory. Veterinarian and horse owners should be aware of the risk of Hendra virus infections in horses and the risk of transmission of infection to people in close contact with infected horses.

Useful Information

Information for Horse owners

• Information sheet
• Hendra Virus Vaccine

Information for Veterinarians

• Information sheet
• Guidelines for Veterinarians handling potential Hendra virus infection in horses
• Hendra Virus Vaccine Online Training

Hendra virus - veterinary practice pack

The 'Hendra virus - veterinary practice pack' produced by Biosecurity Queensland is designed to support equine veterinarians in the management of suspect HeV cases.  http://www.dpi.qld.gov.au/4790_17435.htm

Information for managing flying foxes (fruit bats)

• Information Sheet

Further information is available from:

• Queensland Government website     http://www.dpi.qld.gov.au/home.htm
• NSW Government website               http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/
• Australian Veterinary Association     http://www.ava.com.au/
• Australian Horse Industry Council     http://www.horsecouncil.org.au/