Hendra Virus Confirmed in Queensland Dog

The Australian Animal Health Laboratory has confirmed the first case of Hendra virus in a dog. Hendra virus has only been found naturally within the flying fox bat, horse, and human. This case is the first to be found within a dog outside of a laboratory. The male kelpie showed no signs of disease, but tested positive for antibodies and likely contracted the virus from a positive horse on the property already under quarantine near Beaudesert, Queensland. It has not yet been confirmed if humans can become infected from animals other than horses but the risk is likely low. Researchers and pet-owners fear an evolving disease that can spread more readily from different species.

Hendra virus continues to appear in Queensland and New South Wales, Australia. Most recently, the virus was found in a horse in Chinchilla, Queensland.  This is also the first case west of the Great Diving Range. Over the past month, 10 horses in Queensland and 4 in New South Wales have died or have been euthanized. It is estimated that a total of 57 people have been exposed and are being monitored and tested for Hendra virus.