Hendra in the Hunter Valley.
Abstract: In June 2019 the first equine case of Hendra virus in the Hunter Valley, New South Wales, Australia was detected. An urgent human and animal health response took place, involving biosecurity measures, contact tracing, promotion of equine vaccinations and investigation of flying fox activity in the area. No human or additional animal cases occurred. Equine vaccination uptake increased by over 30-fold in the surrounding region in the three months following the case. Black flying fox and grey-headed flying fox species were detected in the Valley. The incident prompted review of Hendra virus resources at local and national levels. This event near the "horse capital of Australia", is the southernmost known equine Hendra case. Management of the event was facilitated by interagency collaboration involving human and animal health experts. Ongoing One Health partnerships are essential for successful responses to future zoonotic events.
© 2020 The Authors.
Publication Date: 2020-09-02 PubMed ID: 33117876PubMed Central: PMC7582210DOI: 10.1016/j.onehlt.2020.100162Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
Summary
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The research article discusses the first documented case of Hendra virus in a horse in the Hunter Valley region of Australia in June 2019, and the subsequent response and management to prevent a larger outbreak of this zoonotic disease.
Case Identification
- The researchers spotlight the discovery of the first reported case of Hendra virus in a horse in Hunter Valley, New South Wales, Australia. The Hendra virus is a deadly zoonotic disease that can be transmitted from bats to horses, and from horses to humans. This particular case was significant given Hunter Valley is known as the “horse capital of Australia”, hinting at the potential severe implications of an outbreak there.
Response and Biosecurity Measures
- In reaction to discovering the infected horse, an urgent and significant response was initiated to prevent further spread of the virus. Measures included biosecurity precautions like quarantine and the immediate tracing of any people or animals that might have had contact with the infected horse.
- The promotional campaign for equine vaccinations also intensified, leading to an over 30-fold increase in horse vaccinations in the region in the months following the detection. The increase is seen as a direct response to the risk of the virus spreading among the horse population.
Investigation of Bat Activity
- The study highlighted the involvement of two bat species prevalent in the Hunter Valley region – the black flying fox and the grey-headed flying fox. Because Hendra virus is carried by bats and can be transmitted to horses, the researchers conducted an investigation into their local activities.
Outcomes and Future Preparedness
- The report also notes that no further human or animal cases occurred, pointing to the success of the measures taken to contain the virus. However, the incident did prompt a review of preparedness and resources for Hendra virus at both local and national levels, reinforcing the importance of ongoing readiness.
- The study emphasizes that managing this virus was made possible due to the collaboration between human and animal health experts. It further advocates for the continuation and strengthening of such partnerships under the One Health initiative, which brings together professionals in human health, animal health, and the environment for a holistic approach to public health issues, such as zoonotic events like this one.
Cite This Article
APA
Williamson KM, Wheeler S, Kerr J, Bennett J, Freeman P, Kohlhagen J, Peel AJ, Eby P, Merritt T, Housen T, Dalton C, Durrheim DN.
(2020).
Hendra in the Hunter Valley.
One Health, 10, 100162.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.onehlt.2020.100162 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Hunter New England Population Health, Newcastle, NSW, Australia.
- Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia.
- Hunter New England Population Health, Newcastle, NSW, Australia.
- Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia.
- Hunter Local Land Services, NSW, Australia.
- Hunter Local Land Services, NSW, Australia.
- NSW Department of Primary Industries, NSW, Australia.
- Hunter New England Population Health, Newcastle, NSW, Australia.
- Griffith University, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.
- Griffith University, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.
- University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
- Hunter New England Population Health, Newcastle, NSW, Australia.
- Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia.
- Hunter New England Population Health, Newcastle, NSW, Australia.
- Hunter New England Population Health, Newcastle, NSW, Australia.
Conflict of Interest Statement
De-identified data on vaccination rates were supplied by Zoetis Inc. The authors declare no conflicts of interest. The content of the information does not necessarily reflect the position or the policy of the U.S. government, and no official endorsement should be inferred.
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