Qld: Four in hospital after Hendra outbreak

AAP General News (Australia)
08-21-2009
Qld: Four in hospital after Hendra outbreak

By Petrina Berry

BRISBANE, Aug 21 AAP - Three horse stud workers at risk of contracting the Hendra virus
have been transferred to a Brisbane hospital, where a veterinarian is fighting for his
life after testing positive to the potentially fatal infection.

Dr Alister Rodgers, a Rockhampton vet who treated a horse that died at the J4S equine
stud in Cawarral, has tested positive to the virus and is in a critical condition in the
Princess Alexandra (PA) Hospital.

Three stud workers, who also handled two horses that died from the Hendra virus on
the Cawarral property, have been admitted to the hospital for observation.

It is understood none of the three are exhibiting symptoms but have asked to be monitored
as a precaution.

All four underwent five days of anti-viral treatment, with Ribavirin, in Rockhampton
hospital, which finished this week.

Dr Rodgers' wife Linda and children, Courtney and Duncan, said in a statement they
were distressed about claims that he should not have been released from Rockhampton hospital.

"Alister showed no symptoms that are distinctive of Hendra virus when he was discharged,
although he understandably remained anxious as anyone would in such situation," the statement
said.

They said that based on a previous pathology test and no physical signs, he was thought
to be safe and the doctors and nurses who cared for him at the hospital should not be
condemned for discharging him.

A Brisbane veterinary nurse who survived the Hendra virus last year says her thoughts
are with Dr Rodgers and his family.

"I hope the Ribavirin has slowed down the virus," Natalie Boehm said.

"And I hope the others don't get it. They must remember there's a slim chance. I was
one of two out of 30 people who came into contact with horses with the virus."

Ms Boehm's colleague, vet Ben Cunneen, died during the Redlands Veterinary Clinic outbreak
a year ago.

Three of the seven people who have had Hendra have died.

Australian Veterinary Association president Mark Lawrie said vets across Australia
were very anxious for Dr Rodgers and his family.

"We've learned a lot about the virus in the 12 months since the tragic death of Ben
Cunneen," Dr Lawrie said.

"It's a terrible shock for the whole profession to have this happen again."

Veterinary surgeon Dr Nigel Perkins, who reviewed a response to an outbreak last year,
said the virus was now endemic in Australia, but remained uncommon.

He said a pattern had emerged and it could be expected a small number of horses would
be stricken with the disease each year.

He said it was up to everyone who interacts with horses to improve the way they handle
the animals.

"Washing hands, washing clothes, washing items of equipment, trying not to transfer
mucus - it's simple hygiene," he said.

Dr Lawrie said vets in Queensland were taking the risk of Hendra virus very seriously.

Further test results on horses at the Cawarral stud are expected to be known by Saturday.

AAP peb/pjo/jfm/cdh

KEYWORD: HENDRA WRAP

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