Hendra virus: Important information for all horse owners. An update on Hendra virus The Hendra vaccine

Transcription

1 Hendra virus: Important information for all horse owners An update on Hendra virus The Hendra vaccine

2 HENDRA VIRUS Welcome to the Hendra virus information update The aim of this update is to provide information for horse owners on Hendra virus and the latest developments in the Hendra virus vaccine Pfizer Animal Health Australia Pty Ltd. Registered trademark of Pfizer. 2

3 What is Hendra virus? Hendra virus is a deadly disease that can kill horses and humans Hendra was first detected in southern Queensland in 1994 Recently, Hendra virus has been reported further south in NSW and west of the Great Dividing Range 1,2 Pfizer Animal Health Australia Pty Ltd. Registered trademark of Pfizer. 3

4 Hendra from Hendra virus (HeV) has only ever been reported in Australia * Hendra in Horses Over 70 horses have died or been euthanased due to Hendra virus 1 Hendra in Humans 7 people have contracted Hendra virus 1 4 people have died from Hendra virus 1 *Information correct as at July 2012 Pfizer Animal Health Australia Pty Ltd. Registered trademark of Pfizer. 4

5 Hendra from Pfizer Animal Health Australia Pty Ltd. Registered trademark of Pfizer. 5

6 Where does Hendra virus come from? Fruit bats (flying foxes) are the natural hosts of Hendra virus Infected fruit bats do not exhibit signs of illness from the Hendra virus 3 Pfizer Animal Health Australia Pty Ltd. Registered trademark of Pfizer. 6

7 Bat distribution pattern

8 How is Hendra virus spread? It is thought that Hendra virus is transmitted from: Fruit bat to horse via feed or water contaminated with fruit bat droppings, urine or body fluids (including partly eaten fruit, flowers or feeding debris) 4 Horse to horse and horse to human though close contact with respiratory secretions and/or blood from an infected horse 4 Pfizer Animal Health Australia Pty Ltd. Registered trademark of Pfizer. 8

9 Signs of Hendra virus in horses Common symptoms Acute onset of illness Increased body temperature Increased heart rate Discomfort/weight shifting between legs Rapid deterioration with respiratory and neurological signs Other clinical observations Respiratory signs Congestion & fluid on the lungs Difficulty breathing Nasal discharge- initially clear then frothy white/blood stained Weakness, loss of coordination, collapse Neurological signs Wobbly gait Altered consciousness Head tilting Muscle twitching Urinary incontinence Other clinical observations may be noted If you have observed any of these symptoms or you are concerned about your horse, consult your veterinarian immediately Pfizer Animal Health Australia Pty Ltd. Registered trademark of Pfizer. 9

10 Signs of Hendra virus in humans Clinical signs and symptoms Influenza-like symptoms Neurological signs Fever Cough Sore throat Encephalitis with headache Fever Drowsiness Other clinical observations may be noted Horse to human transmission can occur if there has been close contact with the bodily secretions and/or blood of an infected horse Humans may begin to show signs of illness within 5-21 days of contact with an infected horse 1 If you or your horse handlers experience any of these symptoms following contact with a suspected or confirmed case of Hendra virus, seek medical attention immediately Pfizer Animal Health Australia Pty Ltd. Registered trademark of Pfizer. 10

11 Reducing the risks How do I reduce the risk of spreading Hendra virus? Consult your vet if you are concerned Ensure vaccination protocols are followed and all horses are vaccinated against the Hendra virus Protect water and food sources from contamination by flying foxes Avoid planting trees that attract flying foxes in or near horse paddocks Isolate sick horses from other horses, animals and people Ensure strict hygiene and cleaning practices are used on your property Personal protective equipment (PPE) including gloves, overalls, boot covers, face shields, safety eyewear and masks should be used when Hendra virus is a potential diagnosis There are currently no known treatments for Hendra virus in horses or humans. Ask your vet about protection with Hendra vaccine Pfizer Animal Health Australia Pty Ltd. Registered trademark of Pfizer. 11

12 What is Equivac HeV? Equivac HeV is called a subunit vaccine, which means it only contains a small part of the Hendra virus a small protein on the virus surface Equivac HeV activates the horse s immune system to produce antibodies that help protect against infection with the Hendra virus Pfizer Animal Health Australia Pty Ltd. Registered trademark of Pfizer. 13

13 A Efficacy Assessment of Hendra Virus Subunit Vaccine (100µg/dose sg) B Horses were vaccinated twice at 3 weeks apart with a trial vaccine containing 100µg/dose purified sg from 293F cells and then challenged with a lethal dose of Hendra virus. A: PCR analysis of daily samples taken after challenge and B: PCR analysis post-mortem samples.

14 Vaccination with Equivac HeV Equivac HeV vaccine is for use in healthy horses from 4 months of age as an aid in the prevention of clinical disease caused by Hendra virus Pfizer Animal Health Australia Pty Ltd. Registered trademark of Pfizer. 15

15 Onset of immunity Equivac HeV is administered as two x 1 ml doses by intramuscular (IM) injection 21 days apart. Effective levels of antibodies develop approximately 21 days after the second dose. Day 0 1st IM dose Day 21 2nd IM dose Day 42 Onset of immunity Pfizer Animal Health Australia Pty Ltd. Registered trademark of Pfizer. 16

16 Is Equivac HeV safe? Equivac HeV vaccination has been demonstrated to be safe and effective in healthy horses from 4 months of age Site reactions, including swelling (approximately 2 cm x 2 cm in size), have been observed at the site of vaccination in some horses; these reactions usually resolve quickly, within a few days, without treatment If you are concerned about your horse, following vaccination with Equivac HeV, consult your vet immediately Pfizer Animal Health Australia Pty Ltd. Registered trademark of Pfizer. 17

17 Equine Vaccination Registry It is the responsibility of the vaccinating vet to add the details of all vaccinations with Equivac HeV to the online database within 48 hours of vaccine administration Why is this important? Hendra virus is a notifiable disease and there is a legal obligation for your vet to notify biosecurity staff whenever Hendra virus is suspected 1 The Equine Vaccination Registry is an online database for veterinarians and government agencies to check whether a horse has been vaccinated against Hendra virus Pfizer Animal Health Australia Pty Ltd. Registered trademark of Pfizer. 20

18 Equine Vaccination Registry Reminder 2 weeks after the 1 st dose of Equivac HeV has been given, you and your vet will both receive an reminder that the 2 nd dose will be due in 7 days Once the 2 nd Equivac HeV dose has been given and your vet has recorded the details, you will receive a vaccination certificate by Pfizer Animal Health Australia Pty Ltd. Registered trademark of Pfizer. 21

19 Pfizer Animal Health Australia Pty Ltd. Registered trademark of Pfizer. 23

20 AVA Policy The AVA believes that the risk to horse owners, handlers and veterinary personnel from Hendra virus will decrease when horses are vaccinated against this disease. The AVA strongly recommends that all horses in Australia are vaccinated against Hendra virus to protect them and to protect humans from its potentially fatal outcome. In line with good biosecurity principles, the AVA encourages Hendra vaccination as a pre-condition for all horses entering pleasure or performance events where close contact with humans is likely. Horse events include racing, agricultural shows, horse rides, horse sports and breeding studs. For occupational health and safety reasons, veterinarians may choose to make vaccination against Hendra virus (along with using personal protective equipment and infection control practices) a pre-requisite for visiting or treating horses when the vaccine becomes available commercially. Registered trademark Zoetis Inc. All rights reserved. 24

21 Myth Busting Myth: There s no risk of Hendra in my area What is risk? Risk is a combination of probability and consequence Consequence Probability Insignificant Minor Moderate Major Severe Almost Certain Moderate High High Extreme Extreme Likely Moderate Moderate High High Extreme Posisble Low Moderate Moderate High Extreme Unlikey Low Moderate Moderate Moderate High Rare Low Low Moderate Moderate High Due to the severe consequences of Hendra the risk is High/Extreme even when the probability is relatively low Registered trademark Zoetis Inc. All rights reserved. 25