AN unusual presentation of the deadly Hendra virus in a 20-year-old stock horse on the North Coast near Casino has galvanised veterinarians’ stance on vaccination.
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At the same time horse owners and horse event organisers are frustrated because there is a lack of clear government direction surrounding vaccination for the transmittable disease.
NSW DPI vet Paul Freeman, based at Wollongbar, said he had no sympathy for horse owners crying poor over the cost of the Hendra vaccine. “Everything costs when you are talking about animals,” he said. “Get on with it and vaccinate your horses especially when it involves a virus that can kill humans.”
Lismore vet Bruno Ros agrees saying the risk of Hendra presenting initially as something less serious, as happened in the Casino case, puts veterinarians attending to that horse in a terrible position. For example colic presents just like Hendra but if that horse is unvaccinated it will remain untreated until tests prove it is not a risk. By that time the horse may suffer, or die.
“It is up to each vet as to how far they will treat sick horses,” said Mr Ros. “It’s ok for horse owners not to vaccinate for Hendra but likewise vets can decide how far they will go to treat those horses.”
To compound the issue Workplace Health and Safety has already sued three vets for failing to take precautions with Hendra – one of those cases will be revisited in court this month.
Meanwhile a lack of direction on the issue from government has resulted in individual event organisers making up their own rules.
North Coast National president John Gibson said his ring committee considered reversing its insistence on Hendra vaccination because attendance – especially among show jumpers – had fallen badly since the ban on unvaccinated horses came into effect.
Sydney and Brisbane insist on Hendra vaccination.
North Coast Endurance Riders’ Association president Julie Haigh said the vaccine issue split riders between those prepared to needle their horses and those opposed.
A planned open event allowing all horses to compete had been cancelled because no vet was prepared to attend.
Whiporie cattleman and multiple horse owner Ben Hanna said the vaccine was yet another impost on struggling primary producers and a lack of management regarding flying foxes played a part in Hendra’s expansion.