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With the release this week of research showing that pigs can catch the deadly Hendra virus, the Australian Veterinary Association (AVA) is calling for more funding for biosecurity research.

The Canadian study which will appear in the journal Veterinary Research shows that pigs are susceptible to Hendra, and points to the threat of pigs as intermediate hosts of the virus.

“This research is a clear pointer to the potential risks of the spread of the disease from pigs to humans,” said Dr Mark Lawrie, President of the AVA.

“Cases of the spread of disease from bats to pigs to humans have already occurred in Australia with a serious outbreak of the Menangle virus in the late 1990s,” said Dr Lawrie.

“The same method of transmission for the closely related Nipah virus occurred in Malaysia.

“This new research reveals a real risk that the same might happen with Hendra virus. But we need much more research to know how big the risk is, and the best way to manage it.

“This is an important public health issue” said Dr Lawrie.

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