The Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) has registered the Hendra virus vaccine, Equivac® HeV, after nearly three years of positive uptake.

Equivac® HeV passed every assessment criteria for registration according to the APVMA, who says it has amongst the most detailed assessment processes in the world before a product is registered.

Following rigorous safety testing at CSIRO’s Australian Animal Health Laboratory (AAHL), CSIRO along with its partners, launched the Equivac® HeV vaccine in November 2012, in response to the growing number of outbreaks and subsequent horse deaths in Queensland and New South Wales.

Full registration comes less than two weeks after reports of a second Hendra virus outbreak in as little as six weeks, where a horse was euthanased on a property in far north Queensland.

To date, the Hendra virus has resulted in more than 90 horse deaths and four human deaths. The Hendra virus infection can occur at any time of the year, so horse owners are encouraged to take steps to protect themselves and their animals at all times.

Even if a horse is vaccinated against Hendra virus, people in in contact with horses need to remember to continue to practice good biosecurity and personal hygiene measures.

If a horse becomes sick, owners should contact their veterinarian immediately.

Hendra virus resources

Information on the prevention of Hendra virus or biosecurity steps in an incident, visitwww.biosecurity.qld.gov.au or call 13 25 23.

Information on the vaccine, including safety information visit http://apvma.gov.au/node/12881

Information regarding the registration of Equivac® HeV, please visit health4horses.com.au

Farm biosecurity toolkit: Find tools, tips and manuals to help you implement farm biosecurity on your property or create your own profile tailored to your farm.than www.farmbiosecurity.com.au.

Source: Animal Health Australia