CVO Bulletin

A novel variant Hendra virus has been confirmed in a 7-year-old unvaccinated Clydesdale horse from West Wallsend, near Newcastle.

The detection of the virus was confirmed by PCR (polymerase chain reaction) testing at NSW Department of Primary Industries’ Elizabeth Macarthur Agricultural Institute laboratory on Wednesday, 6 October 2021.
The positive test results were confirmed at the Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness on Thursday, 7 October 2021.

NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) has routinely tested all Hendra submissions over the past 6 months for the Hendra variant strain following a retrospective detection by researchers in a Queensland horse. This is the first detection of the variant strain in NSW.

While research on the variant strain is currently underway to establish whether it behaves similarly to Hendra virus, NSW DPI and partner agencies are taking a precautionary approach.

For further information please read the CVO Bulletin.