Hendra Horse Owners' Anger
Sun Herald
Sunday November 23, 2008
THE Queensland Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries has come under renewed attack over its handling of the deadly Hendra virus.
A group of horse owners says the number of horses killed by the virus could be much higher than the DPI&F would have the public believe.Amid accusations of bungling by state biosecurity experts charged with handling a Hendra outbreak in July, a spokeswoman for at least 10 owners now says three horses that died at the Redlands Veterinary Clinic in June had shown symptoms of the virus, but the clinic and DPI&F had not tested them.The department "would rather sweep the matter under the carpet than admit it made serious mistakes that could have cost one man his life and the lives of many horses", spokeswoman Cindy Medway said.Ben Cunneen, a vet at the clinic, died from the virus in August after catching it from horses he treated there. The DPI&F has acknowledged eight horses died or were euthanased at Redlands after showing symptoms consistent with the virus but only five were tested and confirmed to have had the virus.Ms Medway believes the clinic failed to diagnose the three earlier deaths or keep suitable samples for testing. She claims one such horse, Casemma, was admitted on June 6 allegedly showing Hendra symptoms and either died from the virus or was euthanased on June 7. The owner, Kandice Pritchard, said she had not been told of a cause of death. The vets "were dumbfounded" and said they had no idea what killed the horse, she said. Her Jimboomba property had a bat colony; bats were recognised carriers of the virus.Ms Medway said Casemma had been kept in a stable with nose contact with Pam and Kelvin Smith's horse, Loddy, which was discharged then readmitted on June 16, also allegedly with Hendra symptoms. It died the next day. Mr Smith said clinic owner David Lovell had told him he had "no idea" what caused Loddy's death "but it might have been a dead gut".Leonie Parker's horse, Noddy, was admitted to the clinic and treated for 18 days after colic surgery while the two horses suspected of having the virus were there. Noddy was released but readmitted on June 23 with similar symptoms and died from an unknown illness a day later. Ms Parker said Dr Lovell told her he did not know what caused Noddy's death but it was unrelated to colic surgery.Two days after Noddy's death, Truly Gifted, a long-term resident at the clinic, became its first official Hendra case. The DPI&F quarantined the property on July 7.Ms Medway said Truly Gifted had similar symptoms to the three other horses. Ms Parker said she had regularly visited the Redlands clinic to see Noddy and conditions were "unsatisfactory". She said the DPI&F told her on July 11 that she and her other horses must be tested for the virus, but an officer had not arrived until July 15.DPI&F chief vet Dr Ron Glanville said the department had considered exhuming the horses for further testing, but Australian Animal Health Laboratory advised "it would be extremely unlikely that there would be any viral matter left to detect". A review of the DPI&F's handling of the outbreak is due to be tabled this year in State Parliament.Dr Lovell said he did not believe the three horses in question had the virus. He could not discuss cases without the owners' permission. He defended biosecurity at the clinic as "sufficient". "Each owner was asked if they wanted their horses autopsied and each declined," he said.
© 2008 Sun Herald
