When Should I Vaccinate My Horses?
The Equine Infectious Diseases Advisory Board have developed an easy to follow vaccination protocol. We recommend you use these guidelines when planning an annual vaccination schedule for your horses.
From three months of age – two doses, four weeks apart
From three months of age – three doses, two weeks apart
From four months of age – two doses, three weeks apart followed by periodic boosters
Tetanus
One dose annually
Strangles
Consult your vet
Two doses, three weeks apart followed by periodic boosters
Tetanus
One dose annually
Strangles
One dose every six months
Equine Herpes Virus
One dose every six months
From four months of age – two doses, three weeks apart followed by periodic boosters
Vaccination Maintenance Regimen required for the following disease states
Tetanus
One dose annually
Strangles
One dose every six months
Equine Herpes Virus
One dose at five, seven and nine months of gestation
Rotavirus
One dose one month prior to foaling for mares primed during a previous pregnancy*
From four months of age – two doses, three weeks apart followed by periodic boosters
The Equine Infectious Diseases Advisory Board supports the Australian Veterinary Association’s position to strongly recommend that all horses in Australia are vaccinated against Hendra virus to help protect humans from its potentially fatal outcome.
NOTE: In the event that you are unsure of your horse’s vaccination status, consult your vet about undertaking a Vaccination Priming Regimen
* Priming protocol is one dose at eight, nine and ten months of pregnancy
** The Hendra virus horse vaccine has not been tested in pregnant or breeding horses
Avoid The Spread of the Hendra Virus
Recognise the symptoms and keep safe
• Acute onset of illness
• Increased body temperature
• Increased heart rate
• Discomfort/weight shifting between legs
• Rapid deterioration with respiratory and/or neurological signs
• Depression
Other observations
Respiratory signs
• Congestion and fluid on the lungs
• Difficulty breathing
• Nasal discharge – initially clear then
frothy white or blood stained
• Weakness, loss of coordination and collapse
Neurological signs
• Wobbly gait
• Altered consciousness
• Head tilting
• Muscle twitching
• Urinary incontinence
of spreading the virus?
• Consult your vet if you are concerned
• Protect water and food sources from contamination by flying foxes
• Do not plant trees that attract flying foxes in or near horse paddocks
• Isolate sick horses from other horses, animals and people
• Ensure strict hygiene and cleaning practices are used on your property
• Personal protective equipment such as gloves, overalls, boot covers, facial shields, safety eyewear and respiratory protective devices should be used when Hendra virus is a potential diagnosis
Equivac HeV is now available to protect your horse against the deadly Hendra virus. Speak to your veterinarian to arrange vaccination today.
Understanding Hendra Virus
Hendra from 1994 – 2012
Hendra is a deadly disease that can kill horses and humans. Hendra virus (HeV) disease has only ever been reported in Australia* Hendra virus was first detected in southern Queensland in 1994. More recently, it has been reported further south in NSW and west of the Great Dividing Range.1-3
Deaths/euthanasias due
to Hendra virus in horses
>70 Deaths/Euthanasias
People have died from
Hendra virus
4 Deaths
People have contracted
Hendra virus
7 Contracted
Fruit bats (flying foxes) are the
natural hosts of Hendra virus
How is Hendra spread?
• It is thought that Hendra virus is transmitted from fruit bat to horse via feed contaminated with fruit bat urine, faeces or body fluids
• Hendra virus can be spread from horse to horse and horse to human through close contact with respiratory secretions and/or blood from an infected horse
If you are concerned about your horse:
- Consult your veterinarian immediately
- Isolate the sick horse straight away
- Ensure strict hygiene is practised