Hendra virus is a zoonotic disease, which means it can transfer from animals to people.

Hendra virus can cause disease in horses but only rarely in humans. It can be transmitted from flying fox to horse, horse to horse, and horse to human.

There is no evidence that the virus can be transmitted from flying fox to human, or human to horse, or human to human.

Flying foxes are a natural reservoir for Hendra virus. Flying foxes do not show any signs of illness when infected with Hendra virus.

Although Hendra virus infection is periodically present in flying fox populations across Australia, the likelihood of horses becoming infected is very low.

Hendra virus can cause a range of clinical signs in horses and should be considered where there is an acute onset of clinical signs and rapid progression to death associated with either respiratory and/or neurological signs.

Most cases in horses are fatal but occasionally a horse will survive the infection. The mortality rate in affected horses is approximately 75%.

Read more about signs of Hendra virus in horses. For signs of Hendra virus in people, see the Queensland Health website.

Note: Hendra virus is not related to equine influenza or Australian bat lyssavirus.

The potential seriousness of Hendra virus infection for both humans and horses requires that workplace health and safety measures, to prevent infection, should be implemented at workplaces where there is occupational contact with horses. Sound hygiene and biosecurity measures should be adopted as a routine practice for all horse contact.

Hendra virus is a notifiable disease. If you suspect a notifiable disease, whether you are a horse owner, a veterinarian, laboratory staff or anyone else, you must report it to Biosecurity Queensland on 13 25 23 or the Emergency Animal Disease Watch Hotline on 1800 675 888. Read more about who to contact if you suspect Hendra virus.

History of Hendra virus

The virus was first isolated in 1994 in horses at a racing stable in Hendra, Brisbane. The table below shows the location and date of each confirmed Hendra virus incident.

Since Hendra virus was first isolated, seven cases of human infection have been recorded, of which four have been fatal.