Horse Breeders Call for a Cull of Fruit Bats

Horse Breeders Call for a Cull of Fruit BatsHorse breeders have called for a cull of fruit bats to combat series of deaths from the hendra virus, as Thoroughbred Breeders Australia have raised concerns over the disease spreading further south, coupled with the recent horse death at Macksville on the mid-north coast of New South Wales.

Also, the disease is spread by flying foxes, as several of the recent horse deaths have been connected to fig trees that attract the bats, and 6 people, exposed to the horses at Macksville are being tested for the virus.

However, the virus was first detected in September 1994 at a property in the Brisbane suburb of Hendra, where there was an outbreak which killed 20 horses and 1 person, and 4 of the 7 people that were first, diagnosed with the disease, were reported dead.

The CSIRO has experience some success in its efforts to develop a vaccine for the virus of recent, and vets that are majorly faced with the battle against hendra are calling on the government, for financial assistance.

Moreover, the Australian Veterinary Association, said: “It wants a national scheme to reimburse vets dealing with possible outbreaks for the cost of protective gear, and to help educate horse owners”.