Hendra outbreaks in horses and humans in Queensland, 2009

[alert]

Re: Horse dies of Hendra virus; Vet tests positive, workers exposed

Re: Horse dies of Hendra virus; Vet tests positive, workers exposed

http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/que...ts-positve-to-hendra-virus-20090822-eu9r.html

Another horse tests positve to Hendra virusPenny Brand
August 22, 2009 - 1:01PM .
A third horse from the Rockhampton property where an outbreak of the deadly Hendra virus has put four people in hospital and killed two horses, has contracted the virus and will be euthanased.

Biosecurity Queensland acting Chief Veterinary Officer Dr Rick Symons confirmed on Saturday that test samples taken from the horse, named Winnie, at the Cawarral horse nursery property came back positive.

Dr Symons said national policy regarding the positive result meant that the horse should be put down.

"Horses can have the virus in their system and recover, but there is an ongoing risk of the virus remaining dormant and reappearing in the future and this presents a potential threat to human and horse health," Dr Symons said.

The horse had been in isolation on a quarantined property and the result did not present any new risk to human or horse health during the current Hendra response, he said.

There would be a post-mortem on the horse for research purposes, Dr Symons said, but he would not say when the horse would be euthanased.

"The Cawarral property will remain under quarantine until Biosecurity Queensland is completely confident there is no chance of any further infection," Dr Symons added.

Meanwhile, three horse stud workers exposed to the virus will remain in a Brisbane hospital for observation this weekend, where a Rockhampton vet is on life support.

Dr Alister Rodgers is on a ventilator and in a "very critical" condition in the Princess Alexandra Hospital.

The three stud workers had close contact with two infected horses on the property.

Those two horses have since died.

The hospital released a statement earlier on Saturday saying it would no longer be releasing conditional reports for the stud workers and Dr Rodgers, out of respect for their privacy.

If anyone suspects a case of Hendra virus they should phone Biosecurity Queensland on 13 25 23 or contact the Emergency Disease Watch Hotline on 1800 675 888.

 

[alert]

Re: Horse dies of Hendra virus; Vet tests positive, workers exposed

Re: Horse dies of Hendra virus; Vet tests positive, workers exposed

I think what they mean is contained is the outbreak in horses. The potential outbreak in humans won't be delcared contained until 21 days after the isolation of the last exposed person.

http://news.brisbanetimes.com.au/br...us-contained-qld-chief-vet-20090822-eu0o.html

Hendra virus contained: Qld chief vetPenny Brand
August 22, 2009 - 4:29PM .
The deadly Hendra virus has been contained to a property under quarantine near Rockhampton in central Queensland, says Queensland's acting chief veterinary officer.

Vet Alister Rodgers is critically ill with the disease in Brisbane's Princess Alexandra Hospital while three workers from the Cawarral stud are under observation.

Angela Webber, 24, stud manager Debbie Brown, 46, and Adrian Daniels, 49, are awaiting the results of blood tests taken on Friday.

They have been suffering chronic headaches since they left Rockhampton hospital on Monday after receiving the anti-viral drug ribavirin, which is unproven in Hendra virus cases.

Three horses have been euthanased and a fourth horse - one of 26 horses at the Rockhampton property - will be put down early next week.

Biosecurity Queensland acting chief veterinary officer Dr Rick Symons has confirmed that test samples taken from the two-year-old filly named Winnie came back positive for the Hendra virus.

"According to national policy we must destroy the horse," Dr Symons told reporters in Brisbane on Saturday.

"In the past there has been a case where a human got quite mild symptoms but a year later the virus re-emerged and that person died.

"We take a very cautionary approach to these cases. We are really concerned that we continue to protect horses and other humans."

Dr Symons was confident the virus would not spread beyond the Cawarral property, owned by retired mining risk-management specialist John Brady, despite awaiting test results on other horses.

"That property has been in quarantine since day one (on August 8) and we've done trace forwards on all the other horses off the property," Dr Symons said.

"None of those horses to date have come back positive but we are still testing those horses and they are all in quarantine.

"We are happy that we have contained the spread of the virus."

Mr Brady has given his permission for Winnie to be euthanased and for a post-mortem on the horse to find out more about the deadly disease, which is carried by bats.

Dr Symons said Mr Brady was feeling distraught at the end of a tumultuous week.

"He has lost three horses so far and this is the fourth horse," Dr Symons noted.

"He's concerned about the people that work on the property. Mr Brady is under tremendous stress and we really feel for him at this moment."

Dr Rodgers is in a coma and listed as in "very critical" condition.

Hospital staff say they would not be releasing further conditional reports for the stud workers and Dr Rodgers, out of respect for their privacy.

Queensland Health describes the symptoms of Hendra virus in humans as a flu-like illness, and brain inflammation that can manifest as headache, high fever and drowsiness, sometimes progressing to convulsions or coma.

 

[alert]

Re: Horse dies of Hendra virus; Vet tests positive, workers exposed

Re: Horse dies of Hendra virus; Vet tests positive, workers exposed

http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,27574,25967330-3102,00.html

Stay put, fiance pleads with partner exposed to Hendra virusArticle from: Font size: Decrease Increase Email article: Email Print article: Print Submit comment: Submit comment Sarah Vogler
August 23, 2009 12:00am

THE fiance of a woman exposed to the deadly Hendra virus has made a 650km mercy dash to convince her to stay in hospital.

Shaun Griffiths, 24, drove seven hours from Rockhampton to Brisbane's Princess Alexandra Hospital to plead with his partner, Angela Webber, to remain under observation.

The 24-year-old mother was flown by the Royal Flying Doctor Service to Brisbane on Friday afternoon with her horse stud colleagues after vet Alister Rodgers lapsed into a coma after contracting the virus from an infected foal.

Ms Webber had handled the foal whose infected blood was believed to have transferred the virus to Dr Rodgers.

Yesterday, Dr Rodgers was still in a critical condition in the PA.

But Ms Webber told family members she wanted to check herself out of hospital so she could be with her 22-month-old daughter, Dakota.

She also said she wanted to immediately return to Rockhampton to support her boss, John Brady, as the DPI yesterday announced a fourth horse from the J4S stud, where Ms Webber worked, was to be euthanased after contracting the virus.

Relatives said Mr Griffiths, a welder, and Ms Webber had been together six years and were planning to marry as soon as they had saved enough money.

Ms Webber's father, Lloyd Webber, said Mr Griffiths drove to Brisbane yesterday afternoon to convince his fiancee to stay in hospital until doctors confirmed she was no longer at risk.

"We love our daughter dearly, but she can be a stubborn girl," Mr Webber said.

"She wants to leave hospital now. She didn't want to go down in the first place. She doesn't like anyone to fuss over her.

"Her boss wants her to stay down there. We are all encouraging her to stay."

Mr Webber said Angela was still feeling unwell as a result of the preventative medication but had been improving.

"Her fiance is on his way to Brisbane and that's just to try and keep Angela there because that's where she's going to get the best treatment," he said.

A hospital spokesman said Ms Webber and her colleagues were stable and were expected to remain in the PA Hospital until at least today.

While she wants to return home, Mr Webber said his daughter had been full of praise for the doctors and nurses who had been treating her in Brisbane and Rockhampton.

He said Department of Health staff had been calling constantly to check on her condition.

"It really has been the best care. You couldn't ask for anything more," he said.

J4S stud owner John Brady yesterday prepared to bid goodbye to yet another of his horses after it tested positive for Hendra virus late on Friday.

Bioscience Queensland acting chief veterinary officer Rick Symons said test results received late on Friday confirmed a fourth horse at the Cawarral J4S stud, a two-year-old filly named Winnie, had contracted Hendra virus.

"We have to continue to protect humans and other horses so the national policy is to euthanase these (infected) horses," he said.

Dr Symons said Mr Brady had given permission for the horse to be put down.

There are 26 horses on the property and so far four have contracted the disease.

Mr Brady is reported to be devastated by the situation.

Mr Webber said: "He has been extremely generous and helpful and he has done everything he possible can to look after his staff.

"It's a terrible thing to happen. Unfortunately he feels personally responsible and he shouldn't.

"This is no one's fault. When you work with horses this is one of the risks you have to take."

"There are risks with every animal."

The Australian Veterinary Association is running an infection control workshop in Townsville next weekend, and in light of the outbreak, was advising members to attend.

 

[alert]

Re: Horse dies of Hendra virus; Vet tests positive, workers exposed

Re: Horse dies of Hendra virus; Vet tests positive, workers exposed

Ribavirin is nasty stuff.

http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,25970734-23289,00.html

Relief, but more tests yet for sick horse handlersFont Size: Decrease Increase Print Page: Print Natasha Bita | August 24, 2009
Article from: The Australian
SNEAKING a ciggie in the gardens of a Brisbane hospital yesterday, three horse handlers feared to have caught the killer Hendra virus were celebrating a preliminary victory.

Debbie Brown, who was admitted to the Princess Alexandra Hospital on Friday with a splitting headache and nausea, was thrilled yesterday that initial tests had cleared her of the infection that has placed her veterinarian friend on life support.

"I'm good!" she declared.

"I am feeling a lot better, actually, but I had to have a blood transfusion to get this way."

Infectious disease specialists gave Ms Brown a transfusion to treat the severe anaemia caused by a five-day experimental treatment with the anti-viral drug Ribavirin last week.

Ms Brown, 46, and her work-mates -- Adrian Daniels, 49, and Angela Webber, 24, were flown to the Brisbane hospital for observation, after showing worrying symptoms of the life-threatening illness.

All three were exposed to horses infected with the rare bat-borne virus at the J4S equine nursery in Cawarral, outside Rockhampton.

Veterinarian Alister Rodgers -- who had thought the Hendra-infected horse he treated was dying of snakebite -- remained in the hospital's intensive care unit yesterday.

But the other three patients were cleared of any contamination from the same filly that infected Dr Rodgers.

They must wait five more days, however, to be tested for any infection from the last horse to die on the J4S stud.

Hiding behind sunglasses, the trio snuck out of their ward for a cigarette to celebrate their good news yesterday.

"We have no symptoms of the infection," Ms Brown said.

"I think our sickness may be due to the Ribavirin.

"As the doctor said, the best thing is the symptoms are diminishing and had it been the illness they would be getting worse."

The horse handlers are likely to stay in hospital all this week for observation.

At the property they worked on, though, a fourth thoroughbred horse, Whinny, was diagnosed with the Hendra virus on Saturday and will be put down early this week.

Queensland's acting chief veterinarian, Rick Symons, said yesterday the only symptom had been a slight temperature. The horse seemed otherwise healthy. He said the J4S stud would now remain in quarantine for another 28 days.

The Queensland Horse Council has organised grooms to help the stud's invalid owner, John Brady, care for the remaining 25 horses -- three of which are about to foal.

CSIRO scientists from the Australian Animal Health Laboratory in Geelong would be flown to the stud to take samples from Whinny once the horse is euthanased.

 

[alert]

Re: Horse dies of Hendra virus; Vet tests positive, workers exposed

Re: Horse dies of Hendra virus; Vet tests positive, workers exposed

Actually, an earlier article than the previous one.

http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,25970351-5003415,00.html

Hendra virus trio in anxious wait for outcomeArticle from: Font size: Decrease Increase Email article: Email Print article: Print Submit comment: Submit comment Natalie Gregg
August 24, 2009 12:00am

FOR three people who have been exposed to the deadly Hendra virus, every day in hospital is one agonising step closer to being clear of the rare killer.

Rockhampton vet Alister Rodgers is critically ill with the disease in the Princess Alexandra Hospital and, in a nearby ward, stud workers Debbie Brown, 46, Angela Webber, 24, and Adrian Daniels, 49, will remain in observation for at least another week.

All four were exposed to the blood of infected horses, which died of the deadly virus at a Cawarral stud, near Rockhampton in central Queensland.

Speaking from her hospital bed yesterday, Ms Webber described the boredom and fear she and her colleagues felt biding their time, while remaining alert to signs of the disease.

"We should be out of the danger period for the first horse (now) . . . but we still have a week or two of incubation period for the last two horses," she said. "It's scary. Having Alister in such a bad way was a bit of a shock."

It was thought the incubation period for the disease was five to 16 days, but Dr Rodgers became ill about 20 days after he was exposed to a horse that died of the virus on July 28. The three workers were exposed to that horse and two others that died on August 7 and 8.

They had been suffering headaches and other side-affects after completing a course of preventative anti-viral medication, but had started to improve over the weekend.

Ms Brown's sister Vicki O'Flynn said yesterday her sister no longer had headaches, and had "turned a corner" after being given a blood transfusion on Saturday to treat her anaemia ? a side effect of the anti-viral drug.

"She's much better, her mood has improved and she's a lot more positive," she said.

Ms O'Flynn said all three were in good spirits, sharing jokes to relieve the boredom and uneasy tension that won't lift until they are given the all clear.

Ms Webber said the worst part of her hospital stay was being separated from her 22-month-old daughter Dakota, who was staying with grandparents.

The devoted mother said she considered being discharged to be with her daughter but changed her mind after her fiance Shaun Griffiths travelled from Rockhampton to Brisbane to convince her to stay.

"I'm missing Dakota, and she's just been wondering . . . where Mummy and Daddy are," she said.

A fourth horse, which had been in isolation at the Cawarral property, has now tested positive for Hendra virus and will be euthanased today.

The Australian Animal Health Laboratory plans to conduct an autopsy on the two-year-old thoroughbred filly for research purposes.

Three of the seven people who have had the disease since its 1994 discovery have died.

 

[alert]

Re: Horse dies of Hendra virus; Vet tests positive, workers exposed

Re: Horse dies of Hendra virus; Vet tests positive, workers exposed

And a fifith person is hospitalized. It is not clear to which horse or even which human case he was exposed to, or for that matter whether he even has the virus. One thing that is clear is that this fifth illness is NOT caused by ribavirin as there is no evidence that he was given any.

http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-new...rom-horse-stud-in-hospital-20090825-exnu.html

Fifth person from horse stud in hospitalPetrina Berry
August 25, 2009 - 4:04PM
The owner of a horse stud under quarantine for the Hendra virus has been admitted into hospital for monitoring.

Independent horse industry liaison officer Dr Fiona Thompson told AAP that John Brady, owner of J4S horse nursery at Cawarral, was admitted to the Princess Alexandra Hospital (PA) in Brisbane on Monday night.

"John Brady has gone down there for monitoring. There's no test results or evidence of it being Hendra-related," Dr Thompson said.

"It was (a blow to staff) but it makes them more determined to continue on with the hard work. They have a lot of loyalty to Mr Brady."

Mr Brady is the fifth person associated with the property to be hospitalised.

Veterinarian Alister Rodgers remains in a critical condition at the hospital after contracting the virus from infected horses at the stud farm.

Three of Mr Brady's stud workers are being monitored at the same hospital.

Queensland Horse Council president Debbie Dekker has flown to the property to help a skeleton staff maintain the property.

Dr Thompson said it was unclear how long the property would be under quarantine after a third horse tested positive on Saturday.

It was euthanased on Monday morning while two earlier cases were confirmed after the horses died.

Authorities suspect a fourth horse that died on the property on July 28 also had the virus, but have not been able to confirm this because the carcass was destroyed.

? 2009 AAP

 

[alert]

Re: Horse dies of Hendra virus; Vet tests positive, workers exposed

Re: Horse dies of Hendra virus; Vet tests positive, workers exposed

http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/que...-succumbs-to-hendra-stress-20090826-eyj6.html


Search in:brisbanetimes.com.au
brisbanetimes.com.au .Horse stud owner succumbs to Hendra stressMarissa Calligeros
August 26, 2009 - 9:02AM .
The owner of a besieged Queensland horse stud at the centre of the latest Hendra virus outbreak has been flown to a Brisbane hospital suffering severe stress.


Cawarral stud owner John Brady, who has revealed he suffers heart disease, has joined three stud workers in the Princess Alexandra Hospital on Monday night, where a vet continues to fight for his life after testing positive to the potentially fatal disease.


Dr Alister Rodgers is fighting for his life in intensive care, having lapsed into a coma at Princess Alexandra Hospital after contracting the virus from an infected foal.


Three other staff, Angela Webber, Adrian Daniels and Debbie Brown were released from hospital, yesterday but will continue to report twice daily to an adjunct wing of the hospital for check-ups.

A spokeswoman for the Brady family, Fiona Thompson, told brisbanetimes.com.au earlier this week Mr Brady was "terribly worried".


"He's doing it tough at the moment," Ms Thompson said.


Four horses have been put down on the property north-west of Rockhampton on Monday.


The Queensland Horse Council (QHC) has rallied behind the central Queensland stud and is establishing a fund in their support.


QHC president Debbie Dekker said the future of the besieged property was in doubt.


"There is such stigma associated with Hendra... I doubt the property will sell an animal in the near future," she told brisbanetimes.com.au this week.

 

[alert]

Re: Horse dies of Hendra virus; Vet tests positive, workers exposed

Re: Horse dies of Hendra virus; Vet tests positive, workers exposed

http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,27574,26002492-3102,00.html

Stud's staff return negative test to Hendra virusArticle from: Font size: Decrease Increase Email article: Email Print article: Print Submit comment: Submit comment Natalie Gregg
August 31, 2009 12:00am

THREE workers and their boss who were exposed to Hendra virus have returned home clear of the deadly disease.

The four had contact with infected horses at a Cawarral stud, near Rockhampton in central Queensland.

Angela Webber, Debbie Brown, Adrian Daniels and J4S Equine Nursery owner John Brady had been in Brisbane for observation in the Princess Alexandra Hospital in the city's south.

Rockhampton vet Alister Rodgers is critically ill with the disease in the same hospital after being exposed to the blood of an infected horse that died at the stud on July 28.

Mr Brady said yesterday that his stud would be under strict quarantine until at least the end of September.

"We've got a long way to go yet and if we get (a horse with) another positive test, we'll be back to square one again," Mr Brady said.

Two other infected horses died on August 7 and 8 and another was euthanised on August 24.

Mr Brady and the three workers will undergo another round of blood tests this week but plan to return to work by September 14.

 

[alert]

Re: Horse dies of Hendra virus; Vet tests positive, workers exposed

Re: Horse dies of Hendra virus; Vet tests positive, workers exposed

http://www.promedmail.org/pls/otn/f..._BACK_PAGE,F2400_P1001_PUB_MAIL_ID:1000,79006

The same text as the above post, but now in the form of a ProMed posting.

 

[Treyfish]

Hendra scare hits 64 horses

Hendra scare hits 64 horses

Natasha Bita | September 02, 2009

<!-- // .module-subheader -->Article from: The Australian
SIXTY-FOUR more horses have been quarantined in the nation's latest Hendra outbreak, after visiting a contaminated horse stud near Rockhampton.

Queensland's deputy chief veterinarian, Rick Symons, yesterday said the animals would be kept in isolation on 15 separate properties until blood tests cleared them of infection with the deadly bat-borne virus.
Rockhampton vet Alister Rodgers, who caught the virus while treating an infected horse he had mistakenly diagnosed with a snakebite, has been fighting for his life in a Brisbane hospital for 12 days.
Owner of the J4S horse stud John Brady and three staff are awaiting final test results since being sent home from hospital, where they spent a week under observation after an experimental anti-viral treatment.
Dr Symons revealed yesterday that the Hendra virus had been traced to a bat colony in the coastal township of Yeppoon, a half-hour drive from the J4S stud at Cawarral.
"Some of the flying foxes in the colony have shown some Hendra virus, but we've got to check they are not remnant virus," he said.
"We know flying foxes can carry the virus, but we are interested in typing that virus to see if it is relevant to the Hendra cases we are dealing with."
Dr Symons ruled out moving the bat colony -- as demanded by the Liberal National opposition in Queensland -- but advised the public not to walk beneath the bats.
"There've been no cases of people being infected by flying foxes with Hendra virus," he said. "Obviously, it doesn't make sense for people to wander around under bat colonies.":tiphat:http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,26015238-23289,00.html

 

[alert]

Breaking: Vet dies of Hendra

Breaking: Vet dies of Hendra

I can't find the other thread - you can move this to that thread and modify the title if you find it.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/09/02/2673976.htm

Vet dies from Hendra virus
Posted 27 minutes ago


Died in Brisbane hospital: Dr Alister Rodgers (ABC TV)

Map: Rockhampton 4700
Related Story: Human Hendra vaccine 'not worth the cost' Related Story: Calls for privacy as vet battles Hendra Related Link: Factbox - Hendra virus A central Queensland vet has died from Hendra virus in a Brisbane hospital.
Dr Alister Rodgers contracted the virus while treating sick horses at a property at Cawarral, east of Rockhampton, last month.

He and three property workers had a trial of anti-viral drugs in Rockhampton, but he became seriously ill and was flown to Brisbane.

It is believed Dr Rodgers first came into contact with the virus when he inspected a dead horse which he originally thought had died from a snake bite.

The horse was later found to have had Hendra virus.

Just over a year ago Brisbane vet Ben Cunneen died from Hendra virus after contracting the disease from an infected horse at the Redlands Veterinary Clinic.

Dr Cunneen, 33, was the third person ever to die from Hendra.

He had spent five weeks in hospital before his family made the decision to turn off his life support system. Five horses at the Redlands clinic also died during the outbreak.

There is no known cure for the virus, which has never been reported in humans outside Queensland.

Four out of seven people who have contracted the disease since the first outbreak in 1994 have died.

 

[kezza01]

Re: Australia - 2009 Hendra Virus

Re: Australia - 2009 Hendra Virus

Queensland vet Alister Rodgers dies from Hendra virus

BREAKING NEWS: QUEENSLAND veterinary surgeon Alister Rodgers has died from Hendra virus, authorities have confirmed.

A Princess Alexandra Hospital spokeswoman has confirmed the death but said no other details would be released at the request of the Dr Rodgers? family.

Dr Rodgers has been critically ill since being exposed to the blood of a horse infected with Hendra virus that died at the stud on July 28.

Dr Rodgers was exposed after treating sick horses at J4S Equine Nursery, at Cawarral near Rockhampton.

He along with three other stud workers were treated with anti-viral medication in Rockhampton Hospital but was later transferred to Brisbane?s Princess Alexandra Hospital.

He has been in critically ill in a coma.

The stud workers Debbie Brown, 46, Adrian Daniel, 49, and Angela Webber, 24, were also later flown to Brisbane for observation but none have so far fallen ill.


The three stud workers and their boss John Brady who were exposed to Hendra virus have returned home clear of the deadly disease.

Staff at the Rockhampton Veterinary Clinic, where Dr Rodgers worked, did not wish to comment this morning until they had spoken with Dr Rodger?s wife, Linda.


J4S Equine Nursery owner John Brady was not available for comment this morning.

 

[alert]

Re: Breaking: Vet dies of Hendra

Re: Breaking: Vet dies of Hendra

http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,26016026-29277,00.html

Vet dies after Hendra virus exposureArticle from: AAPFont size: Decrease Increase Email article: Email Print article: Print September 02, 2009 09:05am
QUEENSLAND veterinary surgeon Alister Rodgers has died from Hendra virus.

The Courier-Mail reports a Princess Alexandra Hospital spokeswoman confirmed the death but said no other details would be released at the request of the Mr Rogers? family.

Mr Rodgers has been critically ill since being exposed to the blood of an infected horse that died at the stud on July 28.

He is believed have died yesterday afternoon, becoming the fourth person to die from the bat-borne disease.

He treated a foal at J4S horse nursery in Cawarral that was originally believed to have died from a snake bite in July.

Queensland Health is expected to release more details later today.

 

[kezza01]

Re: Horse dies of Hendra virus; Vet tests positive, workers exposed

Re: Horse dies of Hendra virus; Vet tests positive, workers exposed

Queensland vet Alister Rodgers dies from Hendra virus
September 02, 2009 08:58am

BREAKING NEWS: QUEENSLAND veterinary surgeon Alister Rodgers has died from Hendra virus, authorities have confirmed.

A Princess Alexandra Hospital spokeswoman has confirmed the death but said no other details would be released at the request of the Dr Rodgers? family.

Dr Rodgers has been critically ill since being exposed to the blood of a horse infected with Hendra virus that died at the stud on July 28.

Dr Rodgers was exposed after treating sick horses at J4S Equine Nursery, at Cawarral near Rockhampton.

He along with three other stud workers were treated with anti-viral medication in Rockhampton Hospital but was later transferred to Brisbane?s Princess Alexandra Hospital.

He has been in critically ill in a coma.

The stud workers Debbie Brown, 46, Adrian Daniel, 49, and Angela Webber, 24, were also later flown to Brisbane for observation but none have so far fallen ill.


The three stud workers and their boss John Brady who were exposed to Hendra virus have returned home clear of the deadly disease.

Staff at the Rockhampton Veterinary Clinic, where Dr Rodgers worked, did not wish to comment this morning until they had spoken with Dr Rodger?s wife, Linda.


J4S Equine Nursery owner John Brady was not available for comment this morning.

 

[alert]

Re: Horse dies of Hendra virus; Vet tests positive, workers exposed

Re: Horse dies of Hendra virus; Vet tests positive, workers exposed

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/09/03/2675343.htm?section=justin

Qld Health to retest workers for Hendra virus
Posted 11 hours 59 minutes ago

Queensland Health says some of the 31 people already tested for the lethal Hendra virus will be retested.


Central Queensland Dr Alister Rodgers died from the virus in a Brisbane hospital on Tuesday, after treating sick horses on a stud at Cawarral, east of Rockhampton.

Dr Rodgers, who worked in the industry for 30 years, became the fourth person to die from the disease.

Queensland Health says those who had the closest contact with sick horses will be encouraged to be retested.

It is understood two vets who worked with Dr Rodgers will be among those retested.

Dr Rodgers's family says more needs to be done to find a cure for the virus.

His cousin, Ros Rodgers, said yesterday the family was devastated.

She said more people would die from the virus if processes do not change.

"This is a virus that doesn't just make you ill - it's a virus that kills and it will happen again surely," she said.


Community reeling

The central Queensland community is reeling after Dr Rodgers's death.

His colleague, Kris Thompson, says the community is shocked to have lost the dedicated vet.

"It's really unfortunate that it's happened here in our little town and we'll all be very, very cautious from now on," she said.

Other equine vets say it should be a wake-up call for horse owners.

Dr Peter Reid says owners need to take responsibility for reducing the risk to themselves and their animals.

"A lot of them aren't taking the message seriously enough," he said.


Vaccine

Dr Rodgers's death has also prompted renewed calls for more research into the illness.

Queensland Health says it would be cheaper and more efficient to concentrate on a vaccination for horses.

Former Australian of the Year, Professor Ian Frazer, says it will cost more than $1 billion to make a vaccine for Hendra virus.

Professor Frazer, who developed a vaccine for cervical cancer, says it could be 10 to 15 years before a vaccine is ready.

"The average cost of developing a new vaccine and proving it is effective is about $US1 billion and realistically - and that has to be weighed against the potential benefit - it is not quite so expensive to develop and prove a vaccine that would work in horses," he said.

"Logically you would put the money in getting a horse vaccine that worked."

CSIRO researcher Dr Deb Middleton says more funding is needed.

"That money could make an enormous difference in actually getting products onto the ground," she said.

 

[alert]

Re: Horse dies of Hendra virus; Vet dies too, workers exposed

Re: Horse dies of Hendra virus; Vet dies too, workers exposed

http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,26023821-23289,00.html

Hendra vet sounded virus alarmFont Size: Decrease Increase Print Page: Print Natasha Bita | September 04, 2009
Article from: The Australian
THE vet felled by Hendra virus alerted Biosecurity Queensland to a second suspected outbreak before he died this week. Alister Rodgers was the first to alert authorities to the Hendra incident on the J4S horse stud near Rockhampton a month ago.

He rang biosecurity officials again a few days later to tell them of a second dying horse he had treated on another property on August 1. In hindsight, he told authorities, the animal might also have been killed by the virus.

"It had come out of a creek the day before and had quite a swollen face, and died overnight," Queensland's chief vet, Rick Symons, revealed yesterday.

Dr Rodgers rang and said he did not have a diagnosis but it could have been Hendra, Dr Symons said. A biosecurity vet had checked horses at the property but had not tested them for Hendra virus, he said. "The vet thought the clinical signs weren't the same as Hendra virus and assessed it as low risk.

"All the horses on the property were healthy and were being monitored by a veterinarian."

Barely a week after blowing the whistle, Dr Rodgers fell into a two-week coma, dying in a Brisbane hospital on Tuesday night.

 

[alert]

Re: Horse dies of Hendra virus; Vet dies too, workers exposed

Re: Horse dies of Hendra virus; Vet dies too, workers exposed

http://www.promedmail.org/pls/otn/f..._BACK_PAGE,F2400_P1001_PUB_MAIL_ID:1000,79061

HENDRA VIRUS, HUMAN, EQUINE - AUSTRALIA (04): (QUEENSLAND) FATAL
****************************************************************
A ProMED-mail post
<http://www.promedmail.org>
ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases
<http://www.isid.org>

Date: Wed 2 Sep 2009
Source: ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation) [edited]
<http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/09/02/2673976.htm>


Vet's death sparks fresh Hendra warning
---------------------------------------
Horse owners and veterinary professionals have been warned the Hendra
virus is likely to strike again, after it claimed the life of a
central Queensland vet yesterday [1 Sep 2009].

Queensland Health has revealed that the veterinarian died yesterday in
Brisbane's Princess Alexandra Hospital. It is believed he contracted
the virus while treating sick horses at a Cawarral property, east of
Rockhampton, early last month [August 2009].

He had quarantine equipment in his car at the time, but chose not to
wear it, believing a horse he inspected died from a snake bite. The
horse later tested positive to Hendra virus.

The 3 other staff from the property who were treated with an
anti-viral drug and spent time in a Brisbane hospital have returned
home.

Queensland Health says 7 people have contracted Hendra virus since
1994 and the veterinarian is the 4th person to die from the disease.

Dr Nigel Perkins, who led an independent review into the latest
outbreak of Hendra virus, has warned the virus is likely to strike
again. He says people need to educate themselves about the virus and
become better prepared.

"People working with horses need to ensure that they take some
protective measures to reduce their own risk of exposure," he said.
"There are things people can do also around how they manage their
horses and how they feed and water their horses to reduce the risk of
their horses being exposed."

The Queensland Horse Council (QHC) says members are devastated by the
veterinarian's death. QHC spokeswoman Dr Fiona Thompson says vets work
closely with horse owners and assist them in their hour of need. "We
are sincerely disturbed when they come to harm as a result of treating
our horses," Dr Thompson said.

She says horse owners in Queensland will support all efforts to find a
solution to the Hendra virus [disease].

The state's health minister Paul Lucas told Parliament he learned of
the veterinarian's death last night [1 Sep 2009]. "I extend my deepest
sympathies to his family," he said.

"In total 5 people with exposure to these horses have been under the
care of Queensland Health. This is a terrible tragedy for his family
who are being supported by staff at the Princess Alexandra Hospital."

Just over a year ago a Brisbane vet died from Hendra virus after
contracting the disease from an infected horse at the Redlands
Veterinary Clinic. The veterinarian, 33, was the 3rd person to die
from Hendra virus [infection]. He had spent 5 weeks in hospital before
his family made the decision to turn off his life support system.

5 horses at the Redlands clinic also died during the outbreak. The
owner of the Redlands Veterinary Clinic, Dr David Lovell, says the
recent death of the veterinarian from the illness is a tragedy. Dr
Lovell says the veterinarian's death has affected his own staff after
the death last August [2008] of their colleague from Brisbane. There
is no known cure for the virus, which has never been reported in
humans outside Queensland.

--
Communicated by:
ProMED-mail
<promed@promedmail.org>

[Veterinarians are a high risk group when it comes to this disease. It
is indeed sad that a missed diagnosis cost this veterinarian his life.
Veterinarians are by nature a caring lot, and they tend to treat their
patients with care and respect, often believing that the personal
protective equipment may frighten the already sick/injured animal.
Fright can be equally dangerous given that the majority of these
delightful creatures are larger than we are and capable, even by
accident, of causing us great harm.

Hendra virus (formerly called equine morbillivirus) is a member of the
family _Paramyxoviridae_. The virus was first isolated in 1994 from
specimens obtained during an outbreak of respiratory and neurologic
disease in horses and humans in Hendra, a suburb of Brisbane, Australia.

In Australia, humans became ill after exposure to body fluids and
excretions of horses infected with Hendra virus. Generally clinical
signs in human are similar to those with the flu virus, but there may
also be progressive encephalitis.

The drug ribavirin has been shown to be effective against Hendra virus
in vitro, and indeed has been used in combination with some other
drugs in this outbreak. Whether it was the drug combination or the
anti-viral alone is impossible to say, but those treated in this
fashion are living. However, those that took the combination therapy
reported feeling quite bad.

Much remains unknown about this virus, and much research is needed.
However, generally BSL-4 laboratories are required to safely research
this virus. The researchers need protection from the object of their
study.

Portions of this comment have been extracted from
<http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvrd/spb/mnpages/dispages/nipah.htm>. - Mod.TG]

[see also:
Hendra virus, human, equine - Australia (03): (QL) 20090830.3052
Hendra virus, human, equine - Australia (02): (QL) 20090826.2998
Hendra virus, human, equine - Australia: (QL) 20090821.2963
Hendra virus, equine - Australia (02): (QL), RFI 20090820.2943
Hendra virus, equine - Australia: (QL) 20090811.2862]
........................................tg/mj/jw
*##########################################################*

 

[alert]

Re: Horse dies of Hendra virus; Vet dies too, workers exposed

Re: Horse dies of Hendra virus; Vet dies too, workers exposed

http://www.whitsundaytimes.com.au/s...ear-deadly-disease-vets-issue-plea-to-fight-/

Vets fear deadly Hendra virus
Jennifer Huxley | 4th September 2009

Print larger | smallerOAKEY equine veterinarian Joe Weir admits many involved in the equine industry fear the fatal Hendra virus.

Hendra virus has claimed the lives of two vets in the past 12 months, the most recent being Dr Alister Rodgers, who died on Tuesday after contracting Hendra virus from a sick horse on a stud farm near Rockhampton.

Dr Rogers' death comes nearly 12 months after Brisbane vet Ben Cunneen died from the virus.

Seven people are known to have contracted the virus and only three have survived.

All the cases have been detected in Queensland and all after close contact with the body fluids of infected horses.

Weir admits many vets are fearful of the disease.

?There is a lot of emotion within the equine industry at the present time. I know particular vets who are very emotional about the situation,? Weir said.

?The vet profession will not tolerate the continual risk of colleagues. We have to come up with a solution.

?It is very upsetting knowing 15 years after the first recorded outbreak of this disease that you can still be potentially infected completing the day-to-day tasks of your job.

?I hope the message is not lost over the next period of time. This is an emerging disease in Australia and while the risk is low, the number of times vets, owners, trainers and riders are placed at risk of potential infection is huge.?

Weir joined his colleagues around the nation in calling for greater research into the virus, with the hope of creating either a vaccine for humans or horses.

With medical professionals yesterday announcing it could take 15 years to develop a human Hendra virus vaccine, Weir acknowledged equine industry workers would have to work to protect themselves.

He said the nature of the virus made early detection difficult, as initial horse symptoms were similar to those presented by other illnesses.

?We're working with a disease that has the potential to be fatal and can present acutely and not always with very obvious clinical signs so it is a challenge as far as protecting ourselves from it,? Weir said.

?From my own perspective I see 10 cases a month that fit the description of elevated temperature with respiratory signs.

?To isolate every horse that shows respiratory and neurological signs and elevated temperature is extremely difficult and if this were to be done, the number of false alarms, compared to the number of protections, would be huge and community tolerance of such a system would not be great.?

The vet profession will not tolerate the continual risk of colleagues. We have to come up with a solution. - equine veterinarian Joe Weir

 

[alert]

Re: Horse dies of Hendra virus; Vet dies too, workers exposed

Re: Horse dies of Hendra virus; Vet dies too, workers exposed

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/09/04/2676286.htm

Govt trying to fast-track Hendra virus research: Bligh
Posted 43 minutes ago
Updated 42 minutes ago


Dr Alister Rodgers is the fourth person to die from Hendra virus. (ABC TV)

Premier Anna Bligh says the Queensland Government is looking at fast-tracking research into the deadly Hendra virus.

Rockhampton vet Dr Alister Rodgers, in central Queensland, became the fourth person to die from the disease on Tuesday.

His death has prompted renewed calls for more funding for research.

Australian scientists say funding for research is the biggest hurdle in finding a vaccine and cure for the virus.

Ms Bligh says work is happening and the cost of bringing that forward needs to be calculated.

"DPI [Department of Primary Industries] has been doing research work in conjunction - as I understand it - with scientists in the United States on this," she said.

"We are looking at how we might bring some of that work forward and what the cost of that might be."

The man who developed a vaccine for cervical cancer and former Australian of the Year, Professor Ian Frazer, said earlier this week it would cost more than $1 billion to unlock Hendra virus.

He also said it could take up to 10 years before it was ready to be used on humans.

The director of the CSIRO animal health laboratory, Dr Martyn Jeggo, says state and federal governments will have to decide quickly if they are prepared to spend the money.

"It is difficult at this time with government to seek large amounts of funding," he said.

"Governments are quite clearly struggling with fiscal management and so we do need to be cognisant of that as put forward areas for research."

 

[alert]

Re: Horse dies of Hendra virus; Vet dies too, workers exposed

Re: Horse dies of Hendra virus; Vet dies too, workers exposed

http://www.gladstoneobserver.com.au...-inundated-with-tributes-for-rockys-hendra-v/

Tributes flow for Alister Rodgers
Kieran Campbell Rockhampton | 8th September 2009

Print larger | smallerTRIBUTES are continuing to flow into Rockhampton Veterinary Clinic for Dr Alister Rodgers who lost his fight against Hendra virus last week.

The reception area at Dr Rodgers's North Rockhampton clinic has been inundated with floral tributes.

Anyone wanting to show their respect for Dr Rodgers is invited to make a donation to the Alister Rodgers Memorial Fund, which will support research into Hendra virus.

The fund has been set up at the University Advancement Office of the University of Queensland.

Staff at the late doctor's veterinary clinic yesterday said it was touching how many people were paying tribute.

Dr Rodgers, 55, died in the intensive care ward at Princess Alexandra Hospital in Brisbane last week.

Relatives and friends have been invited to his funeral service at St Paul's Anglican Cathedral on William Street on Thursday.

After the service the cortege will proceed to the North Rockhampton cemetery.

Dr Rodgers contracted the virus from a sick horse on a stud farm at Cawarral, east of Rockhampton.

He was the fourth person to die of the virus.

Only seven people worldwide have contracted Hendra, all in Queensland.

Last week the president of Queensland Horse Council (QHC), Debbie Dekker, said horse owners, handlers and vets needed to tighten up biosecurity practices.

?We are pretty gung-ho and biosecurity is treated like a wussy thing,? Ms Dekker said.

?Everyone must tighten biosecurity practices. We have a lot of people who don't know about Hendra virus so we need to get information out to horse owners.?