The Federal Government has announced a $6 million spending package to combat the Hendra virus.

 

The funding boost is a response to the spread of the virus through parts of Queensland and Northern New South Wales and will be used to develop a better understanding of the virus through specific research.

 

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Senator Joe Ludwig, said the funding would be used to boost research into issues raised by the recent identified cases of the Hendra virus.

 

The funding will go towards researching the impact of the Hendra virus on the following:

 

  • Human health;
  • Animal health; and
  • Environmental biodiversity."

 

The National Health and Medical Research Council is allocating up to $3 million for urgent research to better understand and fight the Hendra Virus.

 

A further $3 million will be provided for Hendra virus research and impacts as part of a collaborative contribution across Government from the Agriculture, Innovation, and Environment portfolios.

 

“The research will examine the biology of the virus and will give governments and the authorities a clearer idea of the virus, its movements, how to combat it and how to manage it better,” Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Senator Joe Ludwig, said.

 

The CSIRO is devoting around $6 million this year to Hendra-related research, including work on improved diagnostic tests, disease pathogenesis, and the development of a Hendra vaccine for horses.

 

Additionally, the CSIRO conducts emergency diagnostic testing for Hendra and other animal diseases at its Australian Animal Health Laboratory in Geelong, Victoria.

 

The Government’s funding will complement contributions of $3 million over three years from each of the New South Wales and Queensland Governments.