What is Hendra virus?
Hendra virus is a disease carried by flying foxes (fruit bats) that can spread to horses and, from infected horses, to people. It is frequently fatal in horses and has killed people who cared for sick horses.
Horses are thought to become infected through contact with flying-fox urine, droppings or birthing fluids — most often under trees where bats feed or roost. Infected horses can then pass the virus to other horses and to the people handling them. All human cases to date have come from close contact with sick or dying horses.
Hendra has been confirmed in horses across Queensland and northern New South Wales. Cases have occurred in every month of the year, with a higher number historically in the cooler months from about May to October. The Darling Downs and Lockyer Valley both have resident flying-fox populations, so the risk here is real and year-round.
What are the signs of Hendra in a horse?
Hendra usually causes a sudden, severe illness: a high fever, a rapid heart rate, laboured breathing or frothy nasal discharge, and sometimes wobbliness, head pressing or other neurological signs. Most infected horses die or are euthanased within a few days.
The difficulty is that early Hendra looks like many other illnesses — colic, pneumonia, snake bite or a bad virus. That is why a sick, feverish horse that is not vaccinated has to be treated as a possible Hendra case until it has been tested and excluded. That means protective equipment, restricted handling, and often a delay in hands-on treatment while results come back. Vaccinated horses can be examined and treated straight away.
How does the Hendra vaccine work?
The Hendra vaccine (Equivac HeV) is an inactivated subunit vaccine — it contains a protein from the virus, not the virus itself, so it cannot cause Hendra. It is the only direct way to protect a horse from Hendra infection, and by protecting the horse it protects the people around it.
In Australia the vaccine can only be given by a registered veterinarian, and every dose is recorded against the horse's microchip on a national Hendra vaccination register. If your horse isn't microchipped, that is done at the first vaccination visit.
What is the Hendra vaccination schedule?
The primary course is two doses given three to six weeks apart, followed by a third dose six months after the second. After that, horses need a booster every 12 months to stay covered.
| Dose | When |
|---|---|
| 1st dose | From 4 months of age (any age in adults) |
| 2nd dose | 3–6 weeks after the first |
| 3rd dose | 6 months after the second |
| Boosters | Every 12 months |
If a booster is missed by more than a few months the register will show the horse as lapsed, and depending on how long it has been the primary course may need to be restarted. Christian can check any horse's status on the register and tell you exactly what it needs.
Is the Hendra vaccine safe? What are the side effects?
Yes. The vaccine has been used in hundreds of thousands of Australian horses since 2012. The most common reactions are mild and short-lived: a little swelling or soreness at the injection site, a slightly raised temperature, or a horse that is quiet for a day.
Serious reactions are rare. As with any injection, Christian will discuss any previous reactions and can give the vaccine in a way that minimises discomfort. If you have concerns about an older horse or one with a health problem, raise them at the visit — vaccination is still almost always the right call.
Do events and agistment centres require Hendra vaccination?
Many do. Numerous equestrian events, racing bodies, agistment centres and veterinary practices in Queensland require current Hendra vaccination as a condition of entry or service, and proof is checked against the national register.
Even where it isn't compulsory, vaccination means your horse can be treated promptly if it ever becomes ill, and it protects your family, your farrier, your dentist and your vet.
How much does Hendra vaccination cost?
The cost depends on the number of horses at the visit and whether microchipping is needed. Vaccinating several horses on the same property in one visit is the most economical way to do it.
Call 0466 648 119 with the number of horses and their vaccination history and Christian will give you a price for your property. Agistment centres, studs and clubs can book a vaccination day.
How can I reduce Hendra risk besides vaccinating?
- Fence horses away from flowering or fruiting trees that attract flying foxes, especially at night.
- Put feed and water under cover, away from trees where bats feed or roost.
- Don't handle a sick, unvaccinated horse without gloves and a mask — call the vet first.
- Isolate any horse with a sudden fever from other horses until it has been examined.
These measures reduce exposure but don't replace vaccination. The vaccine is the only reliable protection.
Frequently asked
How often does a horse need a Hendra booster?
Once the primary course (two doses 3–6 weeks apart, then a third dose six months later) is complete, a booster is needed every 12 months.
Can my horse get Hendra from the vaccine?
No. The vaccine contains a single viral protein, not live virus, so it cannot cause infection.
At what age can a foal be vaccinated for Hendra?
From four months of age.
Does the Hendra vaccine need to be given by a vet?
Yes. In Australia it can only be administered by a registered veterinarian, and each dose is recorded on the national Hendra vaccination register against the horse's microchip.
Is Hendra a risk in the Lockyer Valley and Toowoomba?
Yes. Both areas have resident flying-fox populations and confirmed cases have occurred across south-east Queensland. The risk is present year-round, with a historical peak in the cooler months.
This guide is general information for horse owners in south-east Queensland and is not a substitute for a veterinary examination of your horse. If you are worried about a horse, call a vet.