May 21, 2013
Queensland Health has identified 10 people who have had contact with horses which are at the centre of a health scare involving lyssavirus, a virus similar to rabies.
Two horses at a property near Allora were euthanased earlier this month after falling ill. Tests late last week identified the cause of their sickness as lyssavirus, the first time this has been detected in horses. The property has since been quarantined and Queensland Health began tracing anyone who may have had contact with the animals.
“As a result of this contact tracing, nine people have been offered a course of treatment which prevents Lyssavirus in humans,” Queensland Chief Health Officer Dr Jeannette Young said.
“The recommended course of treatment must be administered in a timely manner and comprises rabies immunoglobulin and rabies vaccine.
“One other person was deemed to have had such a low exposure to the horse that preventative treatment was not required. There is no test available for Lyssavirus before symptoms appear.”
There have only been three recorded cases of humans contracting lyssavirus in Australia. All these cases were in Queensland, and all fatal.
Anyone who believes they have been in direct contact with, or in close proximity to these horses, should contact 13 HEALTH (13-43-25-84) for advice.
