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Flying foxes, your animals and you discussion forum
An expert panel came together on Friday 23 September 2011 to address the myths and clarify the facts around flying foxes and Hendra virus.
During the 90 minute live-streamed webcast, the panel answered questions submitted by the public in the lead-up to the session. An independent moderator, journalist Sharyn Ghidella, selected questions submitted online for the panel and facilitated the discussion.
The experts who came together to answer your questions were:
- Mr Clive Cook, General Manager, Conservation, Strategy and Planning, Department of Environment and Resource Management
- Dr Hume Field, Biosecurity Queensland's Principal Scientist
- Dr Rick Symons, Biosecurity Queensland's Chief Veterinary Officer
- Professor Michael Cleary, Queensland Health's Acting Chief Health Officer.
Read the discussion forum's text transcript (PDF, 92 kB).
Alternatively, you can view short segments on the Biosecurity Queensland YouTube channel:
- Part 1 - An overview of the 2011 incidents and transmission of Hendra virus. Part 1 text transcript (PDF, 40 kB).
- Part 2 - Dogs and Hendra virus, horse husbandry, and culling and dispersal of flying foxes. Part 2 text transcript (PDF, 38 kB).
- Part 3 - Flying fox behaviour and roosts, and precautions for horses and people. Part 3 text transcript (PDF, 37 kB).
- Part 4 - Water and rainwater tanks, the Hendra virus vaccine, human health, and dogs and Hendra virus. Part 4 text transcript (PDF, 38 kB).
- Part 5 - Domestic and wild dogs and Hendra virus, other animals and Hendra virus, recovery, movement restrictions and personal protective equipment. Part 5 text transcript (PDF, 37 kB).
- Part 6 - Collection of flying foxes, reasons for the increase in Hendra virus incidents, movements of flying foxes, and precautions for horses and people. Part 6 text transcript (PDF, 36 kB).
- Part 7 - Human health issues, looking ahead to the future, and summary comments. Part 7 text transcript (PDF, 37 kB).
If you have an urgent enquiry or suspect a possible Hendra virus case, notify Biosecurity Queensland on 13 25 23 (business hours) or the Emergency Animal Disease Watch Hotline on 1800 675 888 (24 hour hotline).
