HENDRA VIRUS CAN KILL YOUR HORSE AND HAS ALSO KILLED PEOPLE IN CONTACT WITH INFECTED HORSES.
One of the great threats to your health as a horse owner and your horse’s health is the deadly Hendra Virus.
We are accredited to administer the Hendra Vaccine, and strongly recommend you vaccinate your horses.
Why Vaccinate?
It is thought that Hendra virus is transmitted from fruit bat to horse via feed contaminated with fruit bat urine, faeces or body fluids.
It is known that fruit bats in Victoria carry Hendra virus, meaning there is still a significant risk to horse owners in our area which should be considered.
Another reason to vaccinate is the devastating consequences of Hendra virus. Not only will the virus result in the death of your horse (either due to the virus or due to compulsory euthanasia requirements), but it has also killed more than half of the humans that have caught the virus.
Clubs and events may make vaccination a requirement of entry to protect members and entrants from horse to human or horse to horse transmission. Vaccination ensures your horse can compete without any problems.
How to Vaccinate
Please contact us to arrange for your horses to be vaccinated.
Vaccination involves two injections 3-6 weeks apart, followed by a booster 6 months later.
Annual boosters are required to maintain your horse’s vaccination status.
Horses are required to be microchipped prior to vaccination – a microchip can be implanted at the same time as Hendra vaccination if required.
Once vaccinated your horse’s details will be entered on a national database.
The database enables immediate retrieval of the vaccination status of your horse should it be required for competition entry requirements, or for biosecurity measures in the event of an in contact horse being diagnosed with Hendra Virus.
Contrary to misinformation spread by anti-vaccination campaigners, the Hendra vaccination has been rigorously tested and is safe to administer to all of your horses including breeding stock.
Some horses may have a slightly sore neck for 24-48 hours after vaccination, but this occurs commonly after all vaccinations including Tetanus and Strangles. A reaction at the site of injection is a good indication that the vaccine is working and has stimulated the horse’s immune system to respond.
Hendra Vaccination will save and protect the life of your horse (and also that of your family) in the event that your horse comes in contact with infected bat biological matter.