HORSE'S MOUTH
Australia
HORSE'S MOUTH
Australia
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HORSE'S MOUTH
Equine Hendra Virus - Immunity / Infection / Vac?
Equine Hendra Virus - Immunity / Infection / Vac?
In Australia
In Australia
Equine Hendra Virus - Immunity / Infection / Vac?
Equine Hendra Virus - Immunity / Infection / Vac?
In Australia
In Australia
HOW TO ESTABLISH IF YOUR HORSE HAS HENDRA / IS VACCINATED / HAS HENDRA IMMUNITY
TESTING FOR THE HENDRA INFECTION / TESTING FOR ANTIBODIES (VACCINATED HORSE)
WEB AUTHORS NOTE :
Hendra Vaccinated Horses
Your vet /trainer / stud manager may require proof that your horse has been vaccinated. If your horse has been vaccinated and is up to date with vaccinations, before a medical situation arises you should check with your professional as to the type of ‘proof’ he requires as to your horse’s vaccination status and have it readily on hand. If you are relying on the Zoetis website vaccination register it would be prudent to check that this is acceptable and that it is up dated regularly with your horse’s details so that other treatment /services are not delayed.
Un Vaccinated Horses
If your horse is un vaccinated your veterinarian may require a test for the Hendra virus before administering treatment. These test results take time and involve a vet obtaining your horse’s bodily fluids, which they may or may not refuse to do if Hendra is suspected. Awaiting test results. if required, will delay treatment / services
SEE ALSO-
https://csiropedia.csiro.au/hendra-virus-identification/
9.3.1 HENDRA VIRUS TESTING WITH VACCINATED HORSES
Both vaccination with sG recombinant subunit and natural infection induce neutralising anti-G
antibodies that are detected by all serological assays in use prior to release of the HeV vaccine in
November 2012. None of the standard assays differentiates between the anti-G antibodies produced
in response to infection and those produced in response to vaccination.
HeV DIVA test
Development and assessment of tests to differentiate infected from vaccinated animals (DIVA testing)
is an area of active investigation. A project is being funded by the National Hendra Virus Research
Program. AAHL have available an experimental assay that can provide DIVA results. The current lack of
validation of the DIVA tests and limited data on test sensitivity and specificity must be considered in
the interpretation of results.
SOURCE LINK:
WHAT IS A TITRE TEST?
A titre test (pronounced TIGHT er) is a laboratory test measuring the existence and level of antibodies in blood. Antibodies are produced when a foreign substance like a virus or bacteria provokes an immune response. Responses can come from natural exposure or vaccination.
Interpreting titers correctly depends upon the disease in question. Some titers must reach a certain level to indicate immunity, but with the clinically important “core” diseases vaccines, the presence of any measurable antibody indicates protection.
SOURCE LINK:
https://www.monavalevet.com.au/services/dog-vaccinations-titre-testing/
A positive titer test result is fairly straightforward, but a negative titer test result can be more difficult to interpret. This is because a negative titer is not the same thing as a zero titer, and it doesn’t necessarily mean that the animal is unprotected.
SOURCE LINK:
LABORATORY TESTING FOR HENDRA
Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test / Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) / Virus neutralisation test (VNT)
(PG 31 9.3) HeV can be detected through laboratory testing by virus isolation or polymerase chain reaction. Seroconversion to HeV in response to infection or vaccination can be detected by serology (ELISA or VNT).
9.3.2 Urgency of Hendra virus testing for horses
Urgent testing for HeV may be undertaken under certain circumstances.
If urgent testing is requested during business hours, veterinarians should contact a Biosecurity
Queensland duty pathologist to discuss the situation (see section 13 ‘List of contacts’).
If urgent testing is requested outside of normal business hours, veterinarians should contact the
Emergency Animal Disease Watch Hotline 1800 675 888 and discuss the situation with the Biosecurity
Queensland veterinary officer.
SOURCE LINK:
GUIDELINES FOR VETERINARIANS HANDLING POTENTIAL HENDRA VIRUS INFECTION IN HORSES Version 5.1 pgs 30-31