AGRI 224 Lecture Notes - Lecture 15: Mackay, Queensland, Autopsy, Commonwealth Scientific And Industrial Research Organisation
27 Feb 2019
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August, 1994, 2 horses on a stud farm die a week apart after acute illness. Veterinarian owner and husband performed necropsies, cause not determined. 14 mo. later developed severe encephalitis and died. September 1994, extremely ill horse ( drama series ) stabled for veterinary care in the brisbane suburb of hendra. Fever, facial swelling, severe respiratory distress, ataxia, and terminally, copious frothy nasal discharge. Within 72 hrs, two additional horses were found and a series of infections followed. 13 horses died or were euthanized, case fatality of 65% Treating veterinarian notified authorities of a highly pathogenic novel syndrome. Within a week of first horse death, 2 people came down with influenza like illness. Hendra symptoms: high fever, cough, sore throat, headache and drowsiness, up to meningitis and/or encephalitis, convulsions and coma. The stable hand had minimal contact and eventually recovered. The trainer had significant contact including with oro-nasal secretions in an attempt to force-feed the index case.
