Confirmed case of hendra virus on NSW North Coast

Hendra virus has lead to the death of one horse near Wollongbar on the NSW North Coast. A second remains in quarantine. Nine people are being monitored for signs of illness.

Biosecurity workers deal with the hendra outbreak

Biosecurity workers deal with the hendra outbreak at Beaudesert in Queensland in late June. A case of the disease is confirmed in NSW a few days later. (Anne O'Keeffe)

The NSW Department of Primary Industry has confirmed a case of hendra virus on the NSW North Coast.

A horse was put down on Friday morning and test results have since confirmed the horse was suffering from a hendra infection.

The horse has been buried on the property near Wollongbar, between Ballina and Lismore.

Nine people who have had close contact with the infected horse are reported to be well.

They are being monitored by the NSW Public Health Unit.

Another horse on the property is in quarantine on site, but is showing no sign of illness.

The virus is known to be spread by flying foxes.

This is only the second case of hendra virus in NSW. The first was in Murwillumbah in 2006. One horse died as a result.

The DPI's Chief Vet, Ian Roth says there is nothing to suggest a link between Friday's hendra case in NSW and the outbreak of hendra in Beaudesert in Queensland earlier this week.

Hendra is a notifiable disease in NSW. All suspected cases must be reported to agriculture department inspectors or to the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline on 1800 675 888.

The DPI suggests the virus causes sudden onset of fever and fast progression to death in horses. The disease should be suspected when a horse's health deteriorates quickly. Check the Department's latest advice on protecting yourself from hendra.

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