[ 24/09/2009 ]
The Department of Regional Development, Primary Industry, Fisheries and Resources’ Director of Biosecurity and Product Integrity, Dr Andrew Tomkins says the results of tests taken from a horse in Katherine to exclude Hendra virus infection will not be known until tomorrow (Friday 25th September) afternoon.
Dr Tomkins says the tests are being run at the Australian Animal Health Laboratory in Geelong. “There have been seven or eight investigations in horses in the past with Hendra virus excluded.” He said
A vet called by a horse’s owner noted that the horse had been struck to the head and deduced that this was the cause of the bleeding but as a precaution took samples to exclude Hendra virus.
Dr Tomkins says that the samples are being tested despite the very low possibility of Hendra being present.
He adds that the department will hold a series of workshops in the near future to give vets and local horse owners the latest information about Hendra. In the meantime if any horse owner suspects their animal has the disease they should contact their veterinarian.