Flying Foxes On The Move
Posted on 5 May 2010 by LynThomas in Health
Wet weather in some parts of Australia has caused an extraordinary number of flying foxes to take to the air to find food in new areas, says the Australian Veterinary Association (AVA).
An influx of more than 130,000 flying foxes into Victoria was confirmed by scientists. With so many fox colonies on the move the AVA warns horse owners to be diligent in looking for signs of Hendra virus.
“Anyone working with horses should be on the lookout and immediately report any suspected cases of Hendra virus infection over the coming months,” AVA vice-president Barry Smyth said.
Common symptoms include respiratory distress, frothy nasal discharge, elevated body temperature (above 40 degrees), and rapid heart rate. However, Smyth said it was important to realize there were no specific signs of infection to date.
Since 1994, Hendra virus has been confirmed in 40 horses and seven humans, according toAVA. All the horses either died or were destroyed and four of the people died. All the cases of human infection with Hendra virus had been the result of very close contact with infected horses.
“The Hendra infection had so far been restricted to Queensland and New South Wales, but the disease could strike wherever there were flying foxes,” Dr Smyth said.
Where possible horses should be removed from fields where flying foxes are active and trees where flying foxes roost should be fenced off, Smyth advised. Protective measures include placing feed and water under cover where possible, not placing feed and water under trees when flying foxes are in the area, not using feed that might attract flying foxes (such as fruit and vegetables).
There is no specific treatment for Hendra virus infection in horses.
Flying foxes are among the largest species of bats, with wing spans of up to 6 feet and weighing an average of 2.5kilo.
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