Hendra virus fears as 11 people exposed

by: Rosanne Barrett From:The Australian

• May 31, 201212:00AM

ELEVEN people at two Queensland properties have been exposed to the potentially fatal Hendra virus in the first outbreaks of the "high-risk" winter period as scientists await approval for the "emergency use" of a new horse vaccine.

Authorities yesterday conducted health assessments on the owners and treating veterinarians of two horses that died after contracting the deadly flying fox-borne disease in separate cases more than 800km apart.
Officials also assessed other horses, cats and dogs on the properties where the horses died -- one in the far north Queensland town of Ingham on Sunday and the other outside central Queensland's Rockhampton on Saturday. Quarantine exclusion zones were established.
Queensland chief veterinary officer Rick Symons warned that the state was entering the "high-risk" Hendra period, but said the virus could occur any time throughout the year, citing a case in Townsville in January...
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/health-science/hendra-virus-fears-as-11-people-exposed/story-e6frg8y6-1226375619561