Hendra's virus is endemic in Australia and Killing 8 People

Hendra's virus is endemic in Australia and Killing 8 People


Recent outbreaks of Hendra virus attacked eight people after they contracted the infection of the deadly Hendra horse, in southeast Queensland, Australia, local media said Thursday.

A veterinarian was among eight people who make contact with an infected horse and died on Sunday, said the news agency Australian Associated Press (AAP). Head of Health Dr Aaron Groves said, all the people involved are believed to have low to moderate levels of exposure. He said that so far there are no signs indicating that the virus is active.

They underwent blood tests and will perform a second test within 21 days and the third test within six weeks later to ensure they are not contracted the virus. Biosecurity Queensland has two places of quarantine to determine the movement of the horse and other horses that have been in contact with the horse.

Horses that fell ill while stationed at the property Kerry, near Beaudesert, south of Brisbane, on Saturday and died the next day. The area is located approximately 30 kilometers southeast Biddaddaba, southern Queensland, after her owner brought her home.

The virus was first discovered in September 1994 at a property in the Brisbane suburb of Hendra. Since then, four of the seven people infected with the virus have died.