Report Hendra Virus
Hendra Virus is a Zoonotic Notifiable Animal Disease. If you suspect Hendra Virus you must immediately notify the EAD Hotline on 1800 675 888 (24hrs) or your Local Land Services veterinarian on 1300 795 299 (business hours)
Hendra virus (except in pteropid bats)
Hendra virus can cause a wide range of symptoms in horses; these are not specific and may vary. Hendra virus should be considered in any horse with an acute non-specific illness characterised by rapid deterioration and severe nervous or respiratory signs and without a current Hendra vaccination status.
Disease information
What does Hendra virus look like?
Early symptoms include fever, isolating from other animals, restlessness, colic like signs such as rolling, sweating, and weight shifting between legs.
More advanced symptoms can include:
- Respiratory signs such as laboured breathing with legs spread widely and head extended and a frothy discharge from both nostrils.
- Nervous signs such as staggering, aimless walking, circling, apparent blindness or inability to rise. Disoriented horses may become caught in fences. Straining to urinate or dribbling urine can also be seen on occasions.
Some infected horses have been found dead with no signs observed so Hendra virus infection should be considered when investigating unexplained sudden deaths in horses from areas where flying foxes occur.
While the duration of illness is usually 5-7 days in some cases, the onset of signs is more gradual, and the course of the illness has been longer lasting weeks.
In cases where horses were known to be infected with Hendra virus more than 70% have died.
What should I do if I suspect Hendra virus?
If you think your horse has Hendra virus, keep people and pets away from the horse and call your private veterinarian immediately. Hendra virus is a notifiable disease, and the vet will notify the Local Lands Services (LLS) or Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (NSW DPIRD), if they consider the case suspect for Hendra.
If your vet is unavailable, you can call a District Veterinarian with the LLS or the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline on 1800 675 888.
How is it diagnosed?
If your veterinarian considers your horse may have Hendra virus, they will take samples from your horse for testing. See the fact sheet: Waiting for Hendra test results PDF, 141.55 KB for more information.
How is it spread?
Hendra virus is a virus carried by flying foxes that inhabit Australia, Papua New Guinea, and surrounding islands. So far, clinical disease due to Hendra virus infection has only been recognised in Australia. Flying foxes appear to be unaffected by the virus.
Rarely, Hendra virus spreads from flying foxes to horses (spillover events) due to contamination of feed and water sources with flying fox urine, saliva or birth products. This causes severe disease and may then spread to people or animals in close contact with infected horses.
The virus can be deadly to both humans and horses.
Does Hendra virus affect people?
Yes, Hendra Virus can affect people. If you have been in close contact with a horse where Hendra virus infection is suspected please seek medical advice immediately.
Symptoms typically develop between 5 and 21 days after contact with an infectious horse.
Fever, cough, sore throat, headache and tiredness are common initial symptoms. Meningitis or encephalitis (inflammation of the brain) can then develop, causing headache, high fever, and drowsiness, convulsions and coma.
Hendra virus infection can be fatal.
For more information on Hendra virus infection in humans, refer to the NSW Health website- Hendra virus
Other key information and resources
When and where does it occur?
Most spillover cases in horses have occurred between May and August in coastal areas from Far North Qld down as far south as Newcastle.
While most spilloversevents since first detection in 1994 are sporadic, clusters of cases have occurred on occasions and associated with viral shedding pulses by flying foxes in response to environmental stressors.
All four species of flying fox have been shown to carry the Hendra virus however Hendra virus is more frequently detected in urine of spectacled and black flying foxes. In 2021 researchers detected a variant Hendra virus strain in a horse sample collected in 2015 from a suspect Hendra virus case. The Hendra virus variant has also been detected on several occasions from grey headed flying foxes and there is some evidence that it can be excreted in their urine. In October 2021 NSW had the first case of Hendra associated with the variant.
Managing Hendra virus risk
Biosecurity plays an important part in reducing exposure risk. Personal Protective equipment should be used when in contact with suspect horses or undertaking high risk activities such as dental work or nasogastric tubing. Detailed information on biosecurity including PPE can be found in the Primefact ‘Hendra Virus’.
Vaccination
An effective killed vaccine is available to protect horses and is the most efficient way of reducing the risk of Hendra virus transmission to humans and other susceptible animals.
The risk of transmission can be further reduced by covering feed and water containers to prevent contamination from flying foxes’ urine and avoid feeding horses under trees where flying foxes feed or roost. Stabling overnight can also reduce risk of exposure.
Managing confirmed cases
Where Hendra virus has been confirmed as the cause of illness or death in horses, DPI in conjunction with the local LLS and NSW Health will manage the situation.
More information
Horse Events: Biosecurity guidelines for organisers and competitors PDF, 160.13 KB
Information for Vets - Hendra virus Work Health and Safety responsibilities
PDF, 107.96 KB
Hendra virus - horse carcass disposal PDF, 109.17 KB
Waiting for Hendra results
PDF, 141.55 KB
Hendra virus – response to infection in animals
PDF, 175.67 KB
Hendra virus investigation and management
PDF, 412.22 KB
Hendra Virus Animal observation check list
PDF, 67.19 KB
Hendra Virus Entry and exit log for hot zone
PDF, 30.52 KB
Hendra Virus District Veterinarians checklist
PDF, 116.8 KB
Business Queensland Hendra virus page
Reporting animal biosecurity emergencies
Some animal pests and diseases, or residues in animal products or stock feed can have serious consequences for trade, production or human health. By remaining vigilant and acting quickly if you suspect a significant animal pest, disease, or residue you may be able to prevent these consequences. Don’t delay! Contact Local Land Services or ring the 24 hour hotline: