Hendra vaccine spike anticipated as Hunter Valley horse dies from the bat-borne disease

The manufacturer of the Hendra vaccine is surprised it has taken this long for the deadly virus to reach the Hunter Valley in New South Wales, and along with a Newcastle equine vet, is encouraging horse owners to vaccinate their animals.

Until a 25-year-old mare was euthanased on a property near Scone a week ago, the most southerly case had been at Dondingalong near Kempsey where a horse died in 2013.

But Zoetis Australia's veterinary operations manager, Richard L'Estrange, said there is a risk of Hendra anywhere horses and flying foxes co-exist.

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Article written by: Kim Honan and Eliza Goetze