Hendra: why not just go ahead and vaccinate?

HeV antibody testing

The CSIRO Australian Animal Health Laboratory offers the following tests on equine serum:

1. Hendra virus ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay)

This test simply provides a positive/negative result; it does not give us a numerical titre. However, it is the less expensive of the two tests, and a positive result indicates the presence of measurable HeV antibodies and therefore at least some protection against HeV. (Remember that antibody production is only one component of the immune response.)

 

If the result is positive, vaccination/booster may not be necessary at that time. If the result is negative, vaccination/booster may be considered, depending on the individual circumstances.

 

The current cost is $111.10 per horse (laboratory fee incl. GST).*

2. Hendra virus VNT (virus neutralisation test), or HeV titre

This test is the 'gold standard' as it provides a numerical titre. Based on the available research in horses, a titre as low as 16–32 is considered protective against HeV.

 

If the titre is at least 32, then vaccination/booster may not be necessary at that time. If the titre is 16 or lower, vaccination/booster may be considered, depending on the individual circumstances.

 

The current cost is $367.40 per horse (laboratory fee incl. GST).*

 

* Express shipping of the chilled sample(s) to the lab is $20 per batch (whether 1 sample or multiple). Note that these tests require blood collection and submission by a registered veterinarian, so a trip charge and service fee are additional if I am there simply to draw blood for HeV antibody testing.

Below is a link to a PowerPoint slideshow I made on how to use HeV antibody tests as proof of immunity, in place of proof of vaccination:

Hendra antibody tests —guidelines for vets, farm managers, and event organisers [slideshow]

 

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© Christine M. King, 2020. All rights reserved. Last updated 30 March 2021.