Comment

Comment by Rory Donnellan on July 30, 2011 at 1:25pm

Let's not forget that Greenie extremists are committed to greatly reducing the human population. I wouldn't be surprised if some of them wanted to have Hendra virus declared a protected species.

Comment by Rob Messenger on July 26, 2011 at 8:16pm

LTE – Hendra – Test and Destroy 26.7.11

Dear Editor,

I’ve now changed my policy regarding the management of flying foxes infected with deadly diseases.

Previously, you will remember that I have advocated many times, over a number of years, for a policy of treating the Hendra/flying fox crisis as a serious public health matter, not as an environmental issue.

The solution I put forward was, to test, move on or destroy.  With the news that a dog has now tested positive to Hendra and the chief medical officer of QLD doesn’t know whether a dog can pass the virus directly to humans, I’ve changed my policy to test and destroy.

This very serious public health matter has just become critical and any flying fox testing positive to Hendra or other similar deadly diseases must be destroyed.

 

The mortality rate of Hendra in humans from the official stats. released by QLD Health, is greater than 50% (4 out of 7), however I’ve cautioned before about not trusting the information and statistics supplied by QLD Health, because they have an undeniable history of incompetence, dysfunction and deceit.

Among the long list of questions and guarantees that QLD Health officers and politicians  can’t answer or give, is this important question :

How many people have died over the years with Hendra-like symptoms and have never been officially acknowledged as Hendra victims?

Politicians must address this serious public health crisis asking, ”What is the worst-case public scenario and how do I stop it now?”  The precautionary principal must apply.  People’s health must always come before animal’s health.  Time to destroy the infected bats.

Sincerely

Rob Messenger

Independent member for Burnett

0407904134

Comment by Dale Stiller on July 26, 2011 at 6:46pm

In the news tonight hendra virus has been found in a dog. The first time that hendra has been found in an animal other than bats, horses or humans. Looks like that this is an evolving virus; this has to create concern what is the possibilties in the future.

http://www.news.com.au/national/dog-near-beaudesert-believed-to-be-...

Comment by Ian Macrae Yeates on July 25, 2011 at 7:12pm

This could well be the tip of the iceberg. My son works as a scientist at Townsville Hospital. I would like to think that a vaccination will be developed in the near future that will safeguard our precious livestock, our horses which are so much an Aussie tradition from the Boer War, Light Horse charge at Beersheba, through the mustering of the brumbies.

Comment by Dale Stiller on July 25, 2011 at 6:49pm

More information about the hendra horse death at Chinchilla at Beef Central, First Hendra outbreak confirmed west of the great divide  [click here]

Well known and respected Chinchilla vet Sandi Jephcott, a former Australian Cattle Veterinarians' Association president, treated the horse and is waiting for test results to learn if she has contracted the disease.

 

The Chinchilla horse death brings to 14 the number of horse deaths that have occurred as a result of Hendra virus infections since June 20, 2011. 10 horses have died in Queensland, with deaths also occurring in Beaudesert, Mt Alford, Park Ridge, Kuranda, Hervey Bay, Boondall and Logan, and four have died in NSW – two on one property near Wollongbar and two single-horse deaths near Macksville and Lismore.

Queensland Chief Biosecurity Officer Dr Jim Thompson said Biosecurity Queensland officers have quarantined the Chinchilla property and were working to establish if any other horses or people had come into recent contact with the infected horse.

 

Queensland' Health chief health officer Dr Jeannette Young said none of the people tested by Queensland Health so far had tested positive to the disease.

Dr Jephcott has been recovering from a near fatal horse accident last year. It is not been confirmed if she was wearing protective clothing when she tended to the sick horse last week.

Dr Jephcott is one of the livestock industry's best known veterinarians and regularly addresses industry field days and conferences on animal health and nutrition issues

Comment by Ian Macrae Yeates on July 25, 2011 at 7:53am

Rob,

Rob,

Being in complete agreement with you I have forwarded your post to Ian Macfarlane as well as Dr Chris yeates and some other interested parties.

Cheers,

Ian

Comment by Rob Messenger on July 24, 2011 at 11:18pm

I think it would be helpful right now if Campbell Newman came out and stated that as the alternative Premier he would immediatley fund testing of Flying Colonies and those that tested positive for Hendra near populated areas should be destroyed.

 

We're dealing with a deadly disease that in humans has a mortality rate of greater than 50%.

 

He could also allow an exemption from the over the top environmental rules, for all property and land owners who were victims of flying foxes setting up roost on their land or in their back  yard. Nobody should face a maximum fine of $100,000 or a year in jail if you scare a flying fox out of its roost in your back yard.

 

The maximum fine in QLD for hiring a child escort ie under 18 (if you are an escort agency owner) is only $10,000! Compare that with killing a flying fox - $300,000 and a 2 year jail sentence! What does that say about this governments values? What does Anna care more about Flying Foxes or children's safety?

Comment by Ian Macrae Yeates on July 24, 2011 at 10:24pm

 Dale & Rob,

We have studs all over the Downs and the racing focus is on Clifford Park in Toowoomba. Horse racing is a major industry here.

Comment by Rob Messenger on July 24, 2011 at 9:39pm

Dale, thanks for that info. This is officially the biggest out break of Hendra. Although I often wonder, given the QLD Government's unique ability to lie and cover up, just how many cases of Hendra over the years went unreported.

Comment by Dale Stiller on July 24, 2011 at 7:46pm

Today it was announced that a horse has died of hendra at Chinchilla. This is the further most western case of hendra; the first beyond the Great Dividing Range.

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