Serological examination for evidence of infection with Hendra and Nipah viruses in Queensland piggeries.

Objective: To examine piggeries in Queensland for evidence of infection with Hendra virus and Nipah virus.

Design: A serological survey was designed to provide 99% confidence of detecting at least one infected pig herd in Queensland, assuming that for each virus, at least 5% of herds would have been exposed to virus and that at least 40% of the finisher pigs in these herds would have detectable antibodies to virus.

Procedure: A two stage sampling regimen was used. All samples were tested with serum neutralisation tests developed and performed at the Australian Animal Health Laboratory.

Results: There was no evidence of antibody to either virus in the 500 samples collected from 100 herds.

Conclusion: The results of the survey support a case that commercial pigs in Queensland are free of both Hendra virus and Nipah virus infections.