CONFIRMED OUTBREAK HAS STUD QUARANTINED NEAR ROCKHAMPTON

A confirmed outbreak of the deadly Hendra virus has the Queensland racing industry again on high alert.

The outbreak was confirmed at the J45 Equine Nursery at Carwarral, near Rockhampton, after the sudden death of an Anglo horse on Saturday.

Queensland Primary Industries Minister Tim Mulherin has admitted that the horse had shown clear symptoms of the Hendra virus.

The outbreak has been blamed on the large population of bats which heavily populate the area near the Central Queensland Equine Nursery.

Queensland Racing’s Director of Integrity Operations, Jamie Orchard, has urged all racehorse owners and trainers to be vigilant for any signs of the potentially fatal disease in any of their horses.

“Any horses with a high temperature or other abnormal signs should immediately be seen by a veterinarian,” Orchard said.

The Queensland Racing veterinary officer, Dr Martin Lenz, has been liaising with Queensland Primary Industries and Fisheries and today (Tuesday) visited Rockhampton to provide advice to owners, trainers and veterinarians.